Three goals by striker Chijioke Mbaoma fired Enyimba International to a come from behind 4-3 victory over Bendel Insurance on Day 2 of the NPFL/Dozy Mmobuosi Super Cup preseason tournament at the Remo Stars’ stadium in Ikene, Ogun State.
Mbaoma caught the opposing defenders napping with a 7th minute goal while two quick fire strikes inside 5 minutes by the newly promoted Insurance team made it look like a shocker was on the cards.
First, Divine Nwachukwu stabbed home from close range in the 30th minute for the leveler which was followed by a Micah Ojodumo’s headed effort on 34 minutes to make it 2-1 in favour of the Benin based team.
The goal frenzy continued as both teams traded strikes inside three minutes.
Mbaoma delicately headed the ball over the goalkeeper for Enyimba’s equalizer in the 38th minute while two minutes later, Sodje Stephens hit a goal of the tournament contender with a stunner from range to restore Insurance’s lead, 3-2.
On resumption of play in the 2nd half, Enyimba quickly got back into scoring business with Sunday Okereke bundling the ball home for his team’s equalizer on 53 minutes, while Mbaoma completed his hat trick with a 57th minute one on one finish against the opposing keeper to wrap up maximum points for the Aba Elephants.
Undoubtedly Mbaoma picked up the Most Valuable Player MVP of the game for his 5 star performance.
It’s now back to back wins for the People’s Elephants who also defeated Enugu Rangers 1nil yesterday on the opening day of the competition while Insurance slumped to a 0-3 loss to Shooting Stars Sports Club 3SC.
The second game of today between Rangers and 3SC ended 1-1, leaving Enyimba clear atop the table with 6 points.
Rangers needed a win to brighten their chances of finishing in the top two places of the standings and Chidiebere Nwobodo responded with a 55th minute goal to send the Flying Antelopes 1nil up.
But 3SC, who lost a man to red card early in the game, rebounded with a Bala Akintunde’s free kick goal on 60 minutes to send his team to 2nd place in the log with 4 points.
3SC’s Samuel Ayanrinde was adjudged the MVP of the tie.
Enyimba against 3SC fires off tomorrow’s action at 3pm with the Oluyole Warriors needing a point to join their opponents in the final matchup.
Insurance square off against Rangers in the second game of the day.
The 4 team Invitational tournament serves as a curtain raiser to the upcoming NPFL season which has a tentative kickoff date of December 18.
The final of the preseason competition comes up on 9 December 2022 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos with the winner between the top two teams in the overall standings carting home the prestigious N100 million naira prize money.
