NAN-S-25
Draw
By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, June 28, 2017 (NAN) Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Football Club of Ilorin and visiting Kano Pillars FC on Wednesday drew 1-1 in their 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football (NPFL) Match Day 26 fixture.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match was played at the Kwara Stadium Complex.
NAN reports that there were few talking points in the first 45 minutes of the match, except when ABS FC’s Chigozirim Metu was stretchered off after he twisted his ankle.
Metu had before his injury in the 17th minute forced Pillars’ goalkeeper David Obiozo into two consecutive saves and he no doubt drew applause as he was carried off the pitch.
The experienced visitors took total control of the game midway into the half, and their hosts started to find life difficult to cope with.
The game restarted better than the first half, with both sides taking the game to the other half of the pitch.
In the 52nd minute, Nwagua Nyima helped Rabiu Ali to finish off a move he started, with a beautiful cross which Ali made no error in heading home.
The introduction of Lukman Karatu added bite to ABS FC’s attack, but their efforts were always thwarted by the resilient duo of experienced Chinedu Udoji and Jamiu Alimi.
There was however a mild drama in the 86th minute when referee Arinze Victor from Delta awarded a penalty kick to the hosts for a disputed handball infringement.
Samuel Oyedeji stepped forward to take the penalty kick and send Obiozo to the wrong side to level for the hosts.
Speaking after the game, the head coach of Kano Pillars, Ibrahim Musa, said his side’s experience told on the game.
But he did acknowledge that they also showed respect to the young ABS FC side.
“We thank God for this draw. I have a good team, just like the ABS FC side. But my players are more experienced.
“However, our target today was the three points because we don’t like our presen position on the log.
“My target for the season is a continental ticket, because it is sweet and we are used to it,” Musa said.
His ABS FC counterpart, Henry Makinwa, on the other hand acknowledged that Kano Pillars were an experienced side and his boys made a mistake of being late to react.
“No damage has been done yet. Yes, we wanted the three points but we have one.
“But we have also gone away to pick a draw and we have seen big teams drop points at home too.
“The joy of football is that something you don’t expect happens to you,’’ Makinwa said.
Obiozo, who was unhappy about the result, told journalists the match was a game Kano Pillars could have won.
ABS FC’s captain Chinedu Ajanah, on his part, said he was disappointed about the match’s outcome but pledged that his teammates were resolved to make the fans smile next time.
NAN reports that the result means ABS FC dropped places on the log to the 14th position with 35 points from 26 games.
They are billed to take on MFM FC of Lagos on Sunday at the Agege Stadium for a Match Day 27 fixture.(NAN)
OOH/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)