Tuesday, November 9, 2010

League begins with harvest of goals

After an interesting season opener on Saturday between Kaduna United and Kano Pillars at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium - a game that ended in a 1-1 draw, nine other matches came up on Sunday with a total of 18 goals scored.
The best viewing, as far as goals were concerned, was at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu where Rangers defeated visiting Lobi Stars 3-2.
Fred Okwara shot the home side into the lead in the 15th minute, but 20 minutes later Kingsley Odoh restored parity for the visitors from Makurdi with the first of his two goals on the evening.
Rangers however went into the half-time interval 2-1 up after Ejike Uzoenyi, put them back in front with just a minute left on the clock. But eight minutes after the restart, Odoh popped up yet again to draw Lobi Stars back on level terms only for Brendan Ogbu to clinch a last gasp winner for the Flying Antelopes in added time.
Gombe on top
The win shot Rangers to second spot on the league table behind Gombe United, who ran out 2-0 winners over visiting Heartland of Owerri at the Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi courtesy of second half strikes from the duo of Rafiu Salawudeen and Ifeanyi Okoro.
It was not the sort of start new Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia had wished for, heading into the encounter, but his counterpart, Bernard Ogbe, was impressed with the display churned out by his Desert Scorpions.
"It was a really nice performance from the boys. I was impressed especially with the way they kept fighting for every ball in the second half," said Ogbe. "Without taking anything away from Heartland, we deserved to win and I look forward to a better performance in our next match."
The game will come up on Saturday at the Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos, against a JUTH side that played an impressive 1-1 draw against Sharks in Port Harcourt courtesy of a goal in added time by the Jos side's Ghanaian import James Amankwei.
Sharks' veteran forward, Victor Ezeji, had shot the home side into the lead 15 minutes from the end.
Amankwei wasn't the only Ghanaian to hit the back of the net in the opening weekend of the Nigerian Premier League - his counterpart Owusu Addae was on target for Dolphins of Port Harcourt in their 1-0 away win at Plateau United.
At the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, Shooting Stars defeated visiting Sunshine Stars 2-1 courtesy of a brace from ex-Sunshine player Gbolahan Salami, while John Chukwudi's 35th minute goal was enough to see holders,
Enyimba overcome an Ocean Boys side inspired by some spectacular goalkeeping heroics from former junior international Femi Thomas.
Emmanuel Omodiagbe was the star in Warri Wolves 1-0 win over Kwara United while in Minna, Sule Adamu's 15th minute strike earned maximum points for Niger Tornadoes over visiting Crown.
The only game which failed to produce a goal was between Bukola Babes and Zamfara United at the Offa Township Stadium.

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