Former EUROMATCH-NPFL winners Enyimba suffered their fifth defeat of the campaign following a 2-4 loss at Katsina United at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium on Friday.
It was the first match to take place on a Friday night and it got off to a flyer as Enyimba’s error at the back led to the opening goal of the contest.
Six minutes after kickoff, Enyimba goalkeeper Dede Dare allowed Emeka Onyema’s harmless back pass slip through his legs and into net to set the tone for a goalfest.
Katsina United pressed forward and did not allow their opponents recover from their early mistake as Mubarak Sani fired in the second to double the lead on 12 minutes.
Enyimba had chances through Ifeanyi Ihemekwele, Richard Ezinwa and Chidera Michael but could not make them count as they went into the break trailing by two goals.
On the hour mark, Luis Dadong headed in Katsina United’s third goal of the match off a Mukhtar Ismail pass. At that point the game looked sealed and delivered for the hosts.
Enyimba head coach Emmanuel Deutsch immediately switched personnel after his side conceded the third by sending on Charles Egbe and Samaila Bello for Ihemekwele and Wonah Williams. It paid off.
Both players played their roles in the buildup to Enyimba’s first goal as Michael converted from Obichere’s cross on 67 minutes.
Fifteen minutes to time, Egbe headed home off Ezinwa’s flick to give Enyimba a lifeline with the score at 2-3.
Sensing they could fight their back into the contest, Enyimba poured forward in numbers but we’re caught at the back in a counterattack when Katsina United youngster Umar Rabiu produced a moment of individual brilliance to score the insurance goal on 80 minutes.
Umar’s goal killed off Enyimba’s attempt of digging out a result in a fixture they have failed struggled over the years.
The defeat meant Enyimba dropped into the bottom-four of the standings while Katsina United move into sixth place.
Matchweek 8 continues with two matches on Saturday and will be rounded off on Sunday with seven matches.