Late Enyimba fightback denies 10-man Wikki Tourists crucial home win

Posted : 05 April 2026

A dramatic late surge from Enyimba International FC ensured they left Lafia City Stadium with a valuable point, as they held Wikki Tourists to a pulsating 2–2 draw in a fiercely contested 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 33 clash.

For long stretches, this was Wikki Tourists’ game to win. Playing with urgency and purpose, the hosts stamped their authority early and were rewarded in the 15th minute when Imamu Bala rose highest to head home from a well-delivered cross by Klingshak Longbak. It was a goal that reflected their bright start and attacking intent.

Even when nine-time league winners, the Peoples Elephant, grew into the contest, the Bauchi Elephants maintained their composure, dictating tempo and limiting clear-cut chances. But the restart told a different story.

Just minutes into the second half, Samuel Okechukwu restored parity for the visitors, capitalizing on a lapse in concentration to shift momentum.

Yet Wikki’s response was immediate and spirited. Jonathan Mairiga’s 70th-minute strike reignited hopes inside the stadium, as the hosts reclaimed the lead and looked set to grind out a vital win.

However, the turning point of the contest lingered like a shadow.

The earlier dismissal of goalkeeper Utum, which had reduced Wikki to ten men, began to take its toll as the clock ticked down.

Forced to defend deeper and absorb pressure, the numerical disadvantage gradually swung the balance in Enyimba’s favour.

Still, Wikki held on, until the very last moments.

Deep into stoppage time, with tension at its peak, Onyebuchi Nwaorisa emerged as Enyimba’s saviour, striking in the 90+6th minute to silence the home crowd and rescue a dramatic equaliser for the Peoples Elephant.

The result will feel like a missed opportunity for Wikki Tourists, who came agonizingly close to securing all three points despite their disadvantage.

Instead, it is Enyimba who leave with renewed hope, their late resilience potentially pivotal in the fight to preserve their NPFL status.

Speaking after the match, Technical Adviser Evans Ogenyi did not hide his frustration, pointing to the red card as a decisive moment that disrupted his side both tactically and mentally.

Despite the setback, he reaffirmed his team’s determination to keep battling as the season nears its conclusion.

Attention now turns to Yenagoa, where Wikki Tourists face another stern test against Bayelsa United, knowing that every point from here on could define their survival.

This thrilling encounter highlights the unpredictable nature of the NPFL as the season reaches its climax. Enyimba's ability to fight until the final whistle earned them a crucial point, while Wikki Tourists must regroup quickly to overcome their disciplinary setbacks. Both teams remain locked in a high-stakes battle where every goal and tactical decision carries immense weight for their final league standings.

Late Enyimba fightback denies 10-man Wikki Tourists crucial home win

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