Enyimba’s Chijioke Mbaoma notched a hat trick as the Peoples Elephant defeated Bendel Insurance 4-3, yesterday, to move to the top of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL)-Dozy Mmobuosi Foundation pre-season tournament.
On MatchDay 2 of the tournament, 10-man Shooting Stars of Ibadan fought spiritedly to hold Enugu Rangers to a 1-1 draw and stay second behind Enyimba.
The result means Enyimba are guaranteed a place in the finals, irrespective of the outcome of the remaining games.
Nwobodo gave Rangers the lead after 56 minutes, but Samuel Ayorinde, who was picked as the man of the match, brought Shooting Stars level.
Enyimba and Insurance had a fireworks filled first half that produced five goals with Insurance leading 3-2 to the dressing room.
Mbaoma scored the first of his three goals eight minutes into the match, but Insurance leveled up through Divine Nwachukwu on 30 minutes. Micah Odojumo put the Edo Arsenal up five minutes later, but Mbaoma equalised after three minutes only for Sodje Stevens to hit a possible goal of the tournament a minute after.
The second half saw Chisom Okereke bringing Enyimba back few minutes after the restart, before Mbaoma completed his hat trick.
The former Heartland player, who was voted Most Valuable Player (MVP), said after the match that his goals are signs of what he is bringing to the table for Enyimba.
“I joined Enyimba to score goals and it has only started from this tournament, which I have the confidence we will win,” Mbaoma told the media.
In the last group matches of the tournament, which returns to Mobalaji Johnson Stadium, Lagos, from the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne, Rangers will face Bendel Insurance, while Enyimba play Shooting Stars.
The top two teams will play the finals on Friday to determine the overall winner.
The tournament has a N100m prize package.
