Enyimba Football Club failed to make the most of an entirely dominant display as the champions were held to a goalless draw against Heartland FC at the Enyimba Stadium on Sunday evening.
Fatai Osho’s side hoped to build on the success of their away win against Wikki Tourists in midweek but were largely undone by profligacy at crucial moment.
Anayo Iwuala, Tosin Omoyele and Reuben Bala all came close in an Enyimba-controlled opening that saw Chijioke Ejiogu come through for the visitors on not a few occasions.
Ejiogu rushed out to prevent Anayo who looked in good position to finish off Cyril Olisema’s through ball and repeated the same to stop Omoyele shortly after, before Bala headed inches wide from a freekick.
Heartland had their moment towards the break as they attempted to hit the hosts in the break, but Chijioke Akuneto and Ogbonnaya Onuoha had their efforts well dealt with.
The hosts could have begun the second period on a high with the unstoppable Anayo sprinting half of the field before having Ejiogu stop with another block, while Bala blew the rebound off the mark.
Anayo again was at the centre of action, this time outrunning his markers to Frank Esobe’s through ball, before seeing his strike glide just over.
In the end, it was points shared by the teams, an outcome that has left Enyimba seventh on the standings.
The People’s Elephant will return to action for one of their outstanding fixtures when on Wednesday Lobi Stars visit for the matchday sixteen game.
