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Kalu saves Enyimba as Heartland cry foul
Uche Kalu scored for Enyimba
The home win has pushed the six-time champions back to third place on the Nigeria Premier League table on 52 points from 33 matches.
Kalu struck in the 86th minute to secure a 1-0 victory over Heartland in Aba.
Heartland, who played with 10 men right from the first half when midfielder Ikechukwu Ibenegbu was given a red card for a second booking, blamed the referee and his assistants for the loss.
Speaking with MTNFootball.com after the match, Chinedu Efugh said that was the worst officiating he has ever witnessed, while tasking the NPL to sanction such referees as they are spoiling the game.
“I have never seen this kind of officiating in my life, it was a clear robbery,” accused Efugh.
“Kabiru Umar scored a beautiful goal from a rebound and the referee ruled it as no goal. To make things worse, he gave Ibenegbu red card in the first half after a series of yellow cards to us.
“The referee was a kill joy. I don’t complain about referees but this was too obvious.”
Enyimba skipper Josiah Maduabuchi admitted that the ‘Oriental Derby’ was tough.
“It was a tough game as it was expected, but we are happy that we won the game at the end,” he told MTNFootball.com
In another NPL fixture, Wikki Tourists climbed up the ladder after they beat Jigawa Golden Stars 2-0.
Wikki now have 45 points from 33 matches to move to 12th position on the table.
The Bauchi club settled the game with first half goals from the club top scorer Alaba Johnson in the 28th minute and Shaibu Ahmed in 45th minute.
Alaba Johnson told MTNFootball.com that he is happy that he is back to scoring ways and said his team won't be relegated.
"I am happy that my goal came after I returned from injury. I hope to continue like that. I am sure that we will escape relegation and even finish well on the table," he predicted.
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