Enyimba has finally done it. After nearly five years of defensive struggles against Rivers United, the People’s Elephant have broken their curse, keeping a clean sheet against the Port Harcourt side for the first time since December 2019.
The long-awaited defensive feat came in a crucial Matchday 24 fixture, where the Aba boys secured a vital 1-0 victory at the Elephant Park on Saturday, footballrover reports.
But what changed this time? And how did they overcome a streak that saw them concede in nine straight NPFL meetings?
How Enyimba overcame Rivers United’s attacking threat
It was a moment of brilliance from Imo Obot that sealed the deal in first half for the former NPFL champions, who claimed the maximum points.
His perfectly executed left-footed free kick left Rivers United’s goalkeeper helpless, sending the Aba faithful into wild celebrations.
The high-intensity encounter saw both teams battle for control, with the Finidi George side mounting relentless pressure after conceding.
5-year curse finally broken with historic clean sheet
However, Enyimba’s defence stood resolute, determined to end their streak of nine consecutive NPFL matches without a clean sheet against their fierce rivals.
The win was a much-needed boost for Enyimba, snapping a two-game losing streak and reigniting their NPFL ambitions.
And of course, it was met with so much joy by the team’s head coach, Stanley Eguma, who dedicated the win to the passionate Enyimba faithful.
Eguma described it as a ‘sweet victory’ over his former club and a ‘valentine gift’ to fans of the Aba team.
With momentum on their side, the big Elephants now shift focus to their Matchday 25 showdown against Katsina United at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium on Wednesday, while Rivers United look to bounce back against Akwa United.
The historic clean sheet and crucial win reaffirm Enyimba’s title ambitions, proving that the 5-year curse against Rivers United is finally over.
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Last Updated on February 16, 2025 8:42 am by footballrover
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