Ekiti United
By Precious Oham
Ekiti United suffered a three nil defeat to Madiba FC of Lagos in the 2022/2023 Nigeria National League, NNL, B3 Southern Conference first encounter at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan Stadium.
The first encounter which was held in Lagos on Tuesday afternoon, saw the Ado-Ekiti based club being set back at the 35 minute of the game when Ewodage Abubakar related near-accurate and well taken set piece by Ndubisi Anthony to nod into the open box.
After going behind, Ekiti United gaffer, Kehinde Anjorin instantly made a substitute of Pius Chikodi and Afisu Jelili replacing Wadulu Ofoni and Olatunji Sunday as Madiba FC went into the first interval with a 1-0 lead.
Before the whistle of the second half began, Ekiti United made two substitutes with Bankole Temitope and Odufu Noah replacing Wale Makanjuola and Abutu Haruna.
In the second half Ekiti United showed eagerness to draw the match but was cut short by a counter pressure from the home team, and the pressure turned into a double lead at 75th minute when Egbonwon Harrison downed Bankole Temitope inside the box that gives Solomon Aliu the penalty chance to trick the Ekiti goal keeper to the wrong direction leaving the game to 2:0.
Egbonwon Harrison made it three for the Solomom Bala led team at the 82 minute when he took merit of a sure goal effort to break through Ekiti defense to hit the net.
Even after Bala substituted Iyo Taiwo for Bolu Afolabi it didn’t change the game as Madiba FC maintained 3 point.
Madiba FC
In an interactive session with journalist few minutes after the final whistle, Ekiti United Head Coach, Kehinde Anjorin stated that “It was a bad result, but still I’m not bothered because it is just the first game of the season”.
Also, the Ekiti Coach found blames on the referee when he said “My players played according to the instructions I gave them and their performance was spot on, but the referee caused us the game”.
Although, the Ekiti Coach was sure of bouncing back in the next game.
Meanwhile, Ekiti United will next play FC Ebiedei on matchday 3 with a bye on matchday 2 at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado-Ekiti.
