Chukwuemeka Obioma made it a perfect birthday gift for himself after he netted a hat trick two days after he clocked 24 years to help propel Enyimba FC to a 3-0 victory over Ahudiya Football Club in the continuation of the Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu Preseason Tournament taking place in Aba.
The former Heartland and Abia Warriors striker struck in the 29th, 53rd and 64th minutes to ensure that the People’s Elephant who are the reigning champions of the competition are through to the quarter final even with a game to spare.
Enyimba’s 2-0 win over City FC and the 3-0 whiplash of Ahudiyah meant they have chalked up six points from two games with a plus five goals difference before their final group game against Ngwa United.
In another group A tie played also at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, City FC drew closer to a place in the quarter final with a 2-0 victory over Ngwa United FC. It was the Abuja based team’s first win in the tournament from two games after their Sunday loss to Enyimba.
Goals from Emmanuel Jesse and Junior Olaleye were enough to take Ngwa United to the cleaners while City FC moved to the second spot in Group A.
They will qualify automatically to the next round if they get at least a draw against Ahudiya FC in the last group game. Ngwa United are as good as eliminated after two successive defeats. They are up against no nonsense Enyimba and their chances of hitting next round has diminished drastically.
In Group B, Sunshine Stars followed up their hard fought draw against Abia Warriors with a 1-0 win over Supreme Kings through Jide Jimoh’s solitary strike in the 35th minute.
With the win, Sunshine Stars have jumped to the first spot in Group B with four points from two games ahead of Supreme Kings and Abia Warriors who have three and a point respectively in second and third in that order. Both Sunshine Stars and Supreme Kings have played a game more.
Apex Krane booked their slot in the quarter final after a 1-0 win over Jaguar Football Academy. They have won two games to move to six points in Group C.
Tomorrow, South City will face Empire FC by 9am while Supreme Kings and Abia Warriors will slug it out by 11.30am. In the remaining fixtures of the day, Sunshine Stars will trade tackles with Jewel Academy by 2pm while Ahudiya FC and City FC have a date also by 3.30pm. All the games take place at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba.
