Sporting Lagos compounded Enyimba's early-season woes on Wednesday, inflicting a 3-2 defeat on the nine-time Nigeria Premier Football League champions. This marks Enyimba's fourth consecutive loss of the campaign. Enyimba took the lead shortly before half-time through Stanley Dimgba, who struck in the 44th minute. However, Sporting Lagos responded strongly after the break. The win lifted Sporting Lagos into mid-table, providing a response to their 1-0 home defeat to Abia Warriors on Sunday.
Abdullahi restored parity for Sporting Lagos in the 51st minute, while Tobi Iyanda put Enyimba back in front from the penalty spot three minutes later. Sporting Lagos turned the game around with two quick goals from Haruna Hadi in the 65th minute and Daniel Aboh four minutes later. The result leaves Enyimba rooted to the bottom of the table after four matches, with their poor start further compounded by the off-field crisis surrounding the club.
The off-field crisis affecting Enyimba has been a significant challenge for the team. The club has been dealing with issues that have affected their performance on the pitch. Despite the crisis, Enyimba's coach has expressed confidence in his team's ability to bounce back. The team's fans have also been rallied to support them during this difficult period.
Elsewhere in the league, Barau moved to the top of the table after defeating Abia Warriors 2-0 in Kano. Joseph Atule opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, while Ibrahim Ayoola doubled Barau's advantage in the 61st minute. Barau remain unbeaten after five matches, showcasing their strong form this season.
The match between Doma United and Plateau United in Gombe ended in a 2-2 draw. Michael Adegbite scored twice for Doma United in the 35th and 47th minutes, but Plateau United fought back through Gideon Monday in the 58th minute and Paul Samson in the 77th minute. The draw saw Doma United surrender top spot to Barau.
In another match, Kano Pillars and Inter Lagos settled for a 1-1 draw. Ubong Friday gave Kano Pillars the lead in the 33rd minute, while Bashir Abdulkarim equalised for Inter Lagos in the 75th minute. The draw reflects the competitive nature of the league, with teams closely matched and fighting for points.
The current state of the Nigeria Premier Football League reflects the challenges and competitiveness of the tournament. Teams are working hard to secure wins and climb the table. Enyimba's struggles, on the other hand, highlight the difficulties they face in turning their season around. The league will likely continue to be closely contested as teams battle for positions and try to achieve their goals.
Key points
- Enyimba suffered their fourth consecutive loss, remaining at the bottom of the table.
- Sporting Lagos secured their second win of the season, moving into mid-table.
- Barau took the top spot in the league after their 2-0 win over Abia Warriors.
