Nine-time champions Enyimba FC’s worst start in 27 years continued on Wednesday as they slumped to a 3-2 home defeat to Sporting Lagos at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba.
It is now four straight defeats for the People’s Elephant, leaving them bottom of the table without a single point.
Enyimba started brightly and took the lead in the 44th minute through Stanley Dimgba Sopuruchi to go into the break 1-0 up.
Sporting Lagos roared back after the restart. Centre-back Abdullahi Abdulraqeeb levelled in the 52nd minute, before Tobi Ige Iyanda restored Enyimba’s lead two minutes later from the penalty spot to make it 2-1.
The visitors refused to back down. Haruna Hadi equalised in the 65th minute and substitute Daniel Aboh completed the comeback four minutes later in the 69th minute to seal a famous win for the Lagos club.
The result is a second straight home loss in Aba for Enyimba, coming just four days after they lost 1-0 to Inter Lagos on their third anniversary – Inter’s first-ever NPFL win. Before that, Enyimba had lost 2-1 at Niger Tornadoes and 2-0 at Doma United.
The run piles pressure on Chairman Kanu Nwankwo, with fans demanding he quit as chairman amid internal crisis since the start of the season. Kanu had on Tuesday rallied fans to keep faith with the team, but the club’s Facebook page could only post “A disappointing loss” after the game.
For Sporting Lagos, it was a statement road victory and a response to their 1-0 home defeat to Abia Warriors on Sunday, lifting them into mid-table.
Other NPFL Results on Wednesday (Matchday 5):
– Barau FC 2-0 Abia Warriors – Joseph Atule and Ibrahim Ayoola goals send Barau top with 11 points
– Rangers 1-0 Ranchers Bees – Chidozie Iwundu 80th minute winner
– Bendel Insurance 2-1 Ikorodu City
– Shooting Stars 2-0 Katsina United – Olanrewaju Ridwan and Qamar Adegoke
– Kwara United 2-1 Nasarawa United
– Inter Lagos 1-1 Kano Pillars
– Niger Tornadoes 0-0 Warri Wolves
– Doma United 2-2 Plateau United
