5 gas in 9 days would take a toll on any footballer, even more so after 6 months of non-stop rushed football already.
All 6 teams competing in the Super 6 playoffs were filled with fatigued players due to the hectic ga schedule.
The players couldn't complain though, that was what they were paid for.
For Enyimba FC's third ga of the playoffs, Coach Yemi Daniel rested a few players including Farouk, replacing him with Cyril Olisema but he didn't touch 2 players, the untouchable duo of Sam and Austin.
Against Lobi Stars, Sam and Austin played all 90 minutes again.
Just like the ga against Remo Stars, they were forced to lay siege to the incredible defensive block set up by their opponents who were unwilling to take the risk of taking the battle to them.
In the end, just like the Remo Stars ga, for majority of the ga, Enyimba FC dominated possession without breaking through their opponent's block.
The first half ended 0-0.
In the second half though, sothing unexpected happened.
In the 68th minute of the ga, after another prolonged attacking raid by Enyimba FC, Austin lost the ball, an unusual mistake from the Enyimba FC captain.
As soon as the Lobi Star center midfielder stole the ball, without hesitation, he kicked the ball to the left where his speedy left winger lurked.
And imdiately, a foot race started!
Kicking the ball long, the swift left winger erupted, eating yards of space rapidly like they were not there as he effortlessly outran the 3 Enyimba FC players that were originally ahead of him.
Ojo charged out of his post to et the speedy left winger but without panicking, this winger poked the ball high, lobbing the Enyimba FC goalkeeper.
Ojo could do nothing, the winger scored an incredible goal as this winger whirled away towards the corner flag to celebrate.
In the 68th minute, against the run of play, Lobi Stars got the lead through an incredible counter-attacking mont.
FWEEEE!
After the referee's whistle sounded again to restart play, riled up already, Enyimba FC launched even more aggressive attacking raids on their opponent's box.
This ti, Austin put even more effort, imposing himself in the ga as he played better than every other player on the pitch for a few minutes. In the 75th minute, holding possession again, this center midfielder advanced into the box.
As soon as he entered the box, acknowledging his threat, Lobi Stars' players rapidly closed him down but Austin was in the zone state, skipping past challenges till a high boot smashed against his lap, bringing this player down.
"Arghhhh…!" Grabbing his leg, Austin scread loudly in pain.
The players surrounding him could tell imdiately that it was serious.
The referee stopped the ga, handing a straight red card to the Lobi Stars' player who committed the foul and handing Enyimba FC a penalty kick before calling the attention of the dical staff.
After rushing into the pitch, ergency aid was given to the captain but in the end, with tears streaming down his eyes, Austin shook his head.
Enyimba FC was devastated, their captain could not continue.
Austin was stretchered off the pitch injured.
Watching as they stretchered him off even as Austin looked at him with his teary eyes, Sam felt emotional and reluctant. 'No,' he thought. 'It was not supposed to end like this'.
'How long is he out for?' He was distracted from his thoughts by the last words of his captain as he was stretchered off the pitch.
"We need to win". Austin whispered in his direction.
Hearing that, Sam's head finally cooled down, settling back in the ga. Those words to him felt like a handing over of the baton.
Austin already did his best, now he was injured, it was up to him to take over.
'We must win!' Thinking, Sam observed the pitch.
He looked at the scoreboard at the ti. 'We still have 25 minutes'.
FWEEE!
After the referee's whistle sounded, Eka took a perfect penalty kick, sending the Lobi Stars goalkeeper the other way to score and level the ga.
Eka didn't celebrate, dedicating the goal to his injured captain instead.
With one man down already, for the remaining minutes of the ga, Lobi Stars completely forfeited attack as they fully focused on defending.
Without their captain, it was harder for Enyimba FC to fully dominate possession but with Olisema on the pitch with Sam, playing with 2 attack-minded midfielders, Enyimba FC posed more of a threat.
For 20 minutes, Lobi Stars stayed defiant, defending valiantly but in the end, the ga was not destined to end in a draw.
Again, it was another mont of individual brilliance from a familiar na.
Dribbling across the middle of the pitch with the ball, Sam skipped past a few challenges before passing the ball to the left where Chijioke ran.
Receiving the ball, the Enyimba left winger easily beat his marker, ran deeper into the Lobi Stars' half before playing a cut back pass to Sam.
Sam didn't think, hitting the ball first ti with the inside of his weaker left foot as the ball rose and curved past the outstretched arms of the Lobi Stars' goalkeeper into the embrace of the net.
In the 85th minute, Enyimba FC finally took the lead.
"GOALLLL…!" Roaring loudly, Sam charged towards the corner flag before sliding on his knees as he pointed in the direction of the Enyimba FC bench.
He also dedicated his goal to his captain.
For the final minutes of the ga, Lobi Stars finally abandoned defending as they ca out, trying to create a miracle and equalize in the dying minutes of the ga but Enyimba FC remained defensively disciplined, not giving them an inch.
After 90 plus 7 minutes, the ga finally ca to an end.
Enyimba FC won 2-1.
The headline today was not about the victory though, rather, it was about the injury that Austin Oladapo, Enyimba FC's captain suffered that would keep him out for 2 months.
The whole squad was affected by the news.
That sa day, at night, the full results of matchday 3 were finally resolved.
(Matchday 3:)
>Rivers United 0-0 Bendel Insurance<
>Date: 18th June, 2023<
…
>Sunshine Stars 1-1 Remo Stars<
>Date: 18th June, 2023<
…
>Enyimba 2-1 Lobi Stars<
>Date: 18th June, 2023<
With that result, Enyimba FC climbed to the top of the playoff ranking with 6 points in 3 gas despite the injury to their captain.
In 2 days, their next ga was against Sunshine Stars.
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