Enyimba's youth team secured a crucial 0-1 victory over Oyomesi in the Nigeria Youth League Cup, thanks to a decisive first-half goal from Nelson Sule. The match, played in a highly competitive atmosphere, saw the Young Elephants put up a strong defensive and attacking display to claim all three points.
Right from the kickoff, Enyimba showed intent, with Sule rattling the post in the 5th minute. Just a minute later, goalkeeper Eze Mathew made a brilliant save to deny Oyomesi an early lead. The visitors dominated possession, pressing high and forcing the home side into errors.
The breakthrough came in the 10th minute when Nelson Sule found himself in the right place at the right time. After his initial shot was saved, he reacted quickly to slot home the rebound, putting Enyimba ahead. The goal gave the Young Elephants the momentum, and they continued to control the first half.
Despite Enyimba's dominance, Oyomesi remained resilient and occasionally threatened on the counterattack. However, their finishing lacked precision, and Enyimba’s defense, marshaled by captain Chinedu Okeke, stood firm to maintain their lead going into halftime.
The second half started with a moment of controversy as Oyomesi were awarded a penalty in the 47th minute. The decision sparked protests from Enyimba players, but Mathew Eze remained focused, making a brilliant save to deny the hosts an equalizer. He further cemented his heroics by stopping the rebound attempt.
Enyimba nearly extended their lead in the 70th minute when Lawrence Eslin’s powerful header crashed against the woodwork. The Young Elephants continued to apply pressure, keeping Oyomesi's defense on high alert while maintaining their compact defensive shape.
Oyomesi had another golden opportunity to level the match when they were awarded a second penalty late in the game. However, their goalkeeper, who stepped up to take the spot kick, narrowly missed the target, much to the frustration of the home fans.
The final minutes saw Oyomesi desperately pushing for an equalizer, but Enyimba’s well-organized defense absorbed the pressure. The Young Elephants remained disciplined, frustrating the opposition and running down the clock effectively.
At the final whistle, Enyimba celebrated a hard-fought 0-1 victory, a result that strengthens their position in the tournament. Coach Daniel Nwosu praised his team’s fighting spirit, particularly highlighting the performances of Sule and Eze.
With this win, Enyimba’s youth side will shift focus to their next fixture against Abia Warriors, aiming to build on their momentum and continue their strong run in the competition.
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