Coach Paul Aigbogun of Enyimba International Football Club of Aba on Sunday said he was relieved his team could secure a narrow win over hard-fighting Niger Tornadoes FC of Minna.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Enyimba defeated Niger Tornadoes 2-1 in an action-packed encounter at the Umuahia Township Stadium in a 2015/2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match.
Speaking during the post-match interview with newsmen after the Match Day 15 fixture, Aigbogun said: “Honestly, I thank God that we won the match’’.
He described the match as “a very physical one’’, adding that his players, who just returned from a midweek match against Kano Pillars FC, were down with fatigue and injuries.
“It was not easy to play such a big match (in Kano) and come here (in Umuahia) to play against another strong team. So, I thank God for the victory,’’ the former Warri Wolves coach said.
Aigbogun, who thanked the club’s fans for their continued support, however said playing their home matches in Umuahia was affecting the performance of the team.
“I appreciate all the fans who come here to support us, but obviously it is difficult for us. All our home matches are played outside Aba.
“It can never be the same playing at home,” he said.
Reacting to the outcome of the match, coach Abdullahi Biffo of Niger Tornadoes commended the determination of his players, saying “they gave a good account of themselves’’.
Biffo however regretted that his side conceded the second goal, describing it as “a cheap goal’’.
He also lamented that his team were having difficulties winning their home matches in Lokoja because, according to him, “visiting teams always regarded Lokoja as a neutral ground’’.
NAN reports that Enyimba are playing their home matches in the league in Umuahia and the CAF Champions League in Port Harcourt.
This was due to ongoing reconstruction of the Enyimba Stadium in Aba.
Enyimba’s two goals against Niger Tornadoes were scored in the 15th and 48th minutes by Nzube Anaejemba and Ike ThankGod respectively.
Bodeji Adeyemo scored the visitors’ lone goal in the 31st minute.(NAN)
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