We rounded off our five-game November run with a 1-0 win over Abia Warriors on MD15 of the Nigeria Premier Football League.
With Michael Atata out due to illness, the goalkeeper missed his first game of the season, giving a chance for Itodo Ocheme to make his club debut in goal.
LINE-UP: Itodo Ocheme; Junior Christian, Alfred Odinaka, Gift Udoh, Waliu Ojetoye; Rasheed Owolabi, Tosin Oyedokun, Folarin Temitope, Taiwo Alao, Joseph Arumala & Chidera Oparaocha.
We started the game as expected, in possession, as Abia Warriors came with a typically expected low-block approach to the game, hitting us on the break and having the first chance at goal, dealt with properly by Itodo Ocheme.
After the half-hour mark, Folarin had his freekick come off the bar as we went close in search of the opener. Minutes later, Taiwo was withdrawn for Alade Balogun due to injury as the first half ended without a goal.
Second half got underway and it remained difficult to break through the defense of Abia warriors until the 69th minute. Chidera Oparaocha consistently mounted pressure on the goalkeeper as they tried to play out from the back and he was rewarded, picking the goalie’s pocket to give us the lead.
More and more changes from both sides came through as we defended our lead and tried to add another, forcing the keeper into saves.
UP NEXT
December’s run begins with a trip to the North East to face Wikki Tourist of Bauchi on MD16.
SUBSTITUTIONS
OUT: Taiwo Alao IN: Alade Balogun 34’
OUT: Folarin Temitope IN: Tomisin Adebayo 70’
OUT: Chidera Oparaocha IN: Goodluck Anuba 70’
BOOKINGS
Yellow
Gift Udoh- 62’
Rasheedat Owolabi- 66’