Former NPFL champions Enyimba are having their worst start to a season in 27 years. They lost their fourth straight match on Wednesday.
The nine-time Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions fell 3-2 to new boys Sporting Lagos at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba. This defeat leaves Enyimba without a point after four games.
Just four days before this loss, Enyimba lost 1-0 to another Lagos team, Inter Lagos, at the same venue.
Their tough start included losses at Niger Tornadoes and Doma United. They lost 2-1 in Minna and then fell 2-0 to Doma United. This latest defeat means Enyimba has not won any of their first four league matches for the first time in 27 years. They are now at the bottom of the table.
Sporting Lagos Makes a Comeback
Enyimba looked set to win their first match when Stanley Dimgba scored just before half-time.
But Sporting Lagos came back strong six minutes into the second half with a goal from Abdullahi Abdulraqeeb. Tobi Ige Iyanda then put Enyimba back in front with a penalty in the 54th minute.
The visitors leveled the score again 11 minutes later when Haruna Hadi scored. Substitute Daniel Aboh then sealed Sporting Lagos' comeback with the winning goal in the 69th minute.
This result adds more pressure on Enyimba, whose chairman, Nwankwo Kanu, a former Nigeria international, urged fans to keep supporting the team before the match.
"The times have not been most favorable. We understand the weight of the disappointing losses, and we are determined to make things right," Kanu said.
He added, "In the rain, you came out to support us against Inter Lagos. Though it did not go our way, you supported us till the final minute, and we do not take that support for granted. We implore you to stand with us as we wriggle our way out of this labyrinth."
Kanu had said the match against Sporting Lagos was another chance to end the winless run. "Next for us is a home game against Sporting Lagos on Wednesday as we seek our first win of the season. A win can be a propeller," he said.
But Sporting Lagos handed Enyimba another defeat instead.
Barau FC Moves to the Top
While Enyimba struggled, Barau FC climbed to the top of the table after beating Abia Warriors 2-0.
Joseph Atule scored the first goal in the 22nd minute. Ibrahim Ayoola added another goal in the 61st minute.
The Maliya Boys remain unbeaten and now have 11 points from five matches.
Defending champions Rangers International won late against Ranchers Bees 1-0. Chidozie Iwundu scored 10 minutes before the end.
This win moved Rangers to second place, just one point behind Barau, with a game in hand.
Doma United, who started the matchweek on top, dropped to third after a 2-2 draw with Plateau United. Michael Adegbite gave Doma United a two-goal lead but Gideon Monday and Paul Samson scored for Plateau United to earn a point.
Bendel Insurance beat Ikorodu City 2-1 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City. Chinedu Nwosu scored from the penalty spot in the 49th minute, but Aderemi Adeoye equalized for Ikorodu City in the 79th minute.
Alex Oweilayefa then scored six minutes from full-time to give Bendel Insurance their third win of the season.
Kwara United also won 2-1 at home against Nasarawa United. Sanni Muhammed and Abdulsalam Abdulsalam scored for Kwara, while Jofrank Istifanus replied for the visitors.
Shooting Stars defeated Katsina United 2-0 with goals from Olanrewaju Ridwan and Qamar Adegoke. Katsina United played the last 30 minutes with 10 men after Ahmed Kabir Yallilo was sent off.
Inter Lagos drew 1-1 with Kano Pillars, who were close to their first away win of the season. Ubong Friday scored for Pillars in the first half, and Bashir Abdulkarim equalized for Inter Lagos.
Niger Tornadoes and Warri Wolves ended in a goalless draw in Minna. The week will close with Rivers United hosting Kun Khalifat FC at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
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