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Enyimba and their young coach are off to a flyer in the NPFL after a remarkable win against Super Eagles legend Emmanuel Amuneke and Heartland.
In a thrilling start to the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) season, Enyimba's young coach Yemi Olanrewaju, 32, led his team to a spectacular comeback victory against Heartland FC, managed by Super Eagles legend Emmanuel Amuneke.
The Southeast derby, held in Owerri on Sunday, saw Enyimba emerge victorious with a 3-1 win after a second-half goal blitz.
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14:46 - 08.09.2024
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Enyimba's Yemi humbles Amuneke
The match began with Heartland FC, nicknamed the Naze Millionaires, taking the lead through Lawal Suraju in the 53rd minute.
Amuneke, making his managerial debut for Heartland, seemed poised for a winning start in front of the home crowd.
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However, Enyimba, known as the People's Elephant, staged a remarkable turnaround in the latter part of the second half.
The visitors equalised in the 65th minute through Ifeanyi Ihemekwele, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
The game then swung decisively in Enyimba's favour with Clinton Jephta becoming the hero of the hour.
Jephta netted a quick-fire brace, scoring in the 70th and 73rd minutes, to complete a stunning comeback for the visitors.
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This victory marks an impressive start for the youthful Olanrewaju in his role as Enyimba's permanent head coach.
Olanrewaju, who took over from another Super Eagles legend, Finidi George, had emphasised the need for improved attacking output from his squad heading into the opener.
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His team's second-half performance yielded three goals in just eight minutes, which suggests his message has been well received.
The Southeast derby, which saw all four goals come in an action-packed second half after a goalless first 45 minutes, has set an exciting tone for the new NPFL season.
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For Enyimba, this win not only secures three valuable points but also gives them early bragging rights in the Southeast derby.
As for Amuneke and Heartland, this defeat will be a disappointment, but the season is long, and there's ample time for the experienced coach to make his mark on the team.
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