The Enyimba International FC of Aba, on Saturday, defeated visiting Shooting Stars FC of Ibadan 1-0 at the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match day 20.

Chijioke Mbaoma became the hero of the day as his 43rd minute goal separated the two sides in the encounter that took place at the Enyimba Stadium, Aba.

In a post-match interview, Enyimba assistant coach, Yemi Olarewaju, said the game “is a good one”, adding that his team prepared well for it knowing that it was going to be tough.

“3SC is a good team and they really came at us but we only needed the three points and that was what we did right and move ahead.

“As the assistant coach, I need to do well in the absence of the technical adviser because that is why I came to Enyimba,” Olarewaju said.

He further said that a continental ticket was one of the club’s important goals.

“This game has come and gone, we are shifting our focus to the next game, which is an away match against Bendel Insurance,” Olarewaju said.

Coach Olugbenga Ogunbote of 3SC said that his team gave their all just that the game did not go in their favour.

“Sometimes, you play well but will not get the deserved result and in today’s game, we played well and deserved at worst a point.

“All the same, we have to pick the pieces and move ahead with the positives as we are going to work on the lapses that cost us this game.

“I think we were careless with the goal we conceded because it is a situation we should have avoided and that is one of the things we need to put right before our next game,” Ogunbote said.

In the first game of the day, Heartland FC of Owerri came back from a goal down to share the spoil with visiting Kano Pillars

Mustapha Ibrahim put Kano Pillars ahead in the 29th minute before Malachy Ohawume equalised for Heartland FC in the 88th minute.

(NAN)