NNL: ABS Defeat Osun United In Warm-up Match

NNL: ABS Defeat Osun United In Warm-up Match By Admin Coach Hassan Abubakar on Wednesday continued his unbeaten start to life at Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin FC with a 3-1 victory over visiting Osun United FC of Osogbo. The match played at the Kwara Stadium Complex, Ilorin, saw returnee, Chigozirim Metu scoring on his return to the club after a brief spell with Abia Warriors of Umuahia. The Saraki Boys began the match with the intent to win and they showed class of a team that will control proceedings throughout and maintained such for most parts of the game. Osun United defender Afolabi Olatunbosun hacked Tosin Olabode in the 16th minute to win a penalty and the centre referee pointed straight to the spot. Metu stepped forward in the 17th minute and sent the Osun United goalkeeper to the wrong position for the first goal. The pacy winger would have doubled the lead two minutes later but Osun United's Olatunbosun turned his shot away from goal. The duo of ABS David Etim and Charles Eguavon combined perfectly in the visitors' box in the 22nd minute, but the latter was denied at close range. Osun United's Gafar Olafimihan, had one of the visitors' best chances in the 34th minute but he glided the opportunity in front of the Saraki Boys' box. Alao Danbani came off the bench to double the lead in the 68th minute when he dribbled through the Osun United's defence before narrowly put the ball past the visitors' goalkeeper. Andrew Kabgat reduced the tally in the 80th minute, when he followed up a rebound shot which ABS's goalkeeper, Chima Moses spilled before him. Another substitute, Bassey Effiom scored on the stoppage time when he won the ball in the midfield and drove towards the Osun United box, sold a dummy for the visitors' defence before he released a powerful shot which beat the Osun United's goalkeeper for the 3rd goal. The Saraki Boys are expected to travel to Osogbo for the return leg on Friday. Hassan Abubakar told his wards after his game that he is happy with their performance, even though he demanded more from them. He said he would continue to find a way to make the team a formidable one before the start of the season. The Saraki Boys had on Wednesday last week in Lagos defeated Danjuma Babes FC of Lagos 1-0 and drew 1-1 with Crown FC in Ogbomoso a day after.