Harrison Madu’s second minute goal was all Wikki Tourists of Bauchi needed to beat Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin FC, 1-0 to earn all the three points at stake during a match day 30 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) encounter.
The match played at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi saw the hosts went in front with just two minutes into the game after Madu headed home Idris Mohammed’s free kick.
Ernest Governor hand ball had led to the free kick that was well taken by Mohammed, the Saraki Boys’ defenders left Madu unmarked to head the ball past Nurudeen Mudasir in goal for ABS.
Ahmed Usman should have doubled the lead in the 8th minute when he got a chance and shot at Mudasir who dealt with his effort. One minute later, Ibrahim Abdullahi should have equalised for the visitors but Wikki’s goalkeeper Emeka Nwabulu denied him the chance by coming off his line to push the ball away.
Wasiu Alalade had connected a pass from Muiz Adeoti, the former First Bank attacker raced past Wikki defenders set up a one on one chance Nwabulu parried the ABS FC’s attempt to corner.
In the 28th minute, Ismael Bagayan had a chance to double the score but failed to finish a rebound from a shot he took earlier.
ABS young left full back, Lukman Hameed recovered on time to deflect Idris Mohammed’s shot to corner in the 30th to still give his team a chance of a comeback. Chinedu Onyelonu lanky presence on the Saraki Boys defense was threatening his opposite name Chinedu Ajanah stood firm to always truncate the Wikki’s attacker’s threats.
Alalade again failed to capitalize on poor defending by Wikki defenders in the 42nd minute but his placement was inches away from goal. With seconds left on the clock to end the first half, Samuel Oyedeji wasted an opportunity to level the score after finding himself in Wikki’s but his shot hit the side netting.
The Saraki Boys came out stronger in the second dictating the pace of the game but were always wasteful in front of goal. Ajoku Chidiebere left the home fans disappointed when he missed from the six yards box. The introduction of Lukman Karatu in the 56th minute for Ibrahim Abdullahi helped the Saraki Boys attack as he pegged Mustapha Ibrahim to his area.
Wikki’s introduction of the duo of Mubarak Umar and Victor Alegbe had little or no impact on the game as Adeoti became more impactful in the midfield for the Saraki Boys imposing himself in the middle of the pack.
Speaking after the game, Coach of Wikki Tourists, Bala Nikyu, said he was not disappointed by ABS FC’s display because they lost 2-4 at home they will be looking for every avenue to make up.
Nikyu said he is not concerned by the wasted chances because big teams and players do waste chances too.
ABS FC Coach, Henry Makinwa, who congratulated Wikki for the victory said his could have left Bauchi with the three points if not because his boys were wasteful in front of goal.
He said his duty is to teach the boys how create chances while their duty is to convert the chances too. Makinwa said he is optimistic that his team will remain in the because no team on the log from the 10th position is safe yet.
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