TEAM NEWS & STARTING XI

Coach Jeff made 4 changes to the team that drew at home against GAU FC. Clinton returned between the sticks while Abdulrahman, Musa, and Lucky also started.

GK: Clinton 

Defence: Solomon, Abraham, Sodiq, Abdulrahman 

Midfield: Jacob, Victor, Musa 

Attack: Lucky, Aliyu, Shola

Subs: Ebenezar, Maleek, Ibrahim, Lasisi, Oryiman, Kabiru, Alex, Hillary, and Abraham.C

PATIENT START

The opening 10 minutes were even; we kicked off the game from left to right and showed intent from the onset.

Ekiti United slowly got into rhythm and got the first chance of the game, which was dealt by our defence. Afterwards, they saw another shot from the left wing, this time hitting the crossbar.

THE CHANCES

We upped the pressure on Ekiti United as the half progressed, creating some openings. 

In the 10th minute, Victor Samuel got the ball on the left wing and sent in a beautiful cross, but no one in the box could connect with it. 

Minutes later, Victor Samuel was at it again. This time, Shola provided a cross, and the academy graduate’s shot was turned behind for a corner by the goalkeeper.

In the 31st minute, another chance came our way. Aliyu Baba got the ball on the edge of the box before dribbling his way past the defender, but his shot went wide.

BEHIND AT HALFTIME

As we got closer to halftime, we had more chances to go in front, but the opener eluded us.

We were made to pay for our missed chances as Ekiti United got a penalty on the stroke of halftime, which they converted to take the lead.

1-0 Halftime.

WE FALL SHORT

Ekiti United started the second half as they ended the first half and piled the pressure on us; we couldn’t provide answers. 

In the 52nd minute, Ekiti United doubled their lead when a bouncing shot went past Clinton as he slipped in his save attempt. 2-0. 

Ekiti United got their 3rd goal 12 minutes later after a curler from the edge of the box went past Clinton and into the net.

3-0.

We searched for a goal to reduce the deficit, but we couldn’t crack their defence open as we fell short in our 3rd defeat of the season.

WHAT'S NEXT?

This result sees the gap between us and a promotion place increase to 4 points.

Up Next: We welcome Abakaliki FC to Onikan on Sunday, March 8th.