Abubakar Bukola Saraki, ABS, Ilorin FC returned to winning ways on Monday with a 2-0 victory over visiting FC Zamfara of Gusau.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the match Day 6 2020/2021 Nigeria National League, NNL, encounter was played at the Kwara Stadium Complex, Ilorin.
It took the Ilorin based side just 20 seconds of play to register the first goal when Isaac Ogiri’s final pass found an incoming John Mourice who wasted no time and struck straight into the net.
Ogiri would have doubled the lead for ABS in the third minute when he met a fantastic cross by Samuel Bamigboye, but nodded wide to waste the chance.
Both sides struggled to comfortably control the game as they created limited goal scoring opportunities for most part of the first half.
With three minutes left before the break, Charles Eguavon sent Zamfara defense a dummy before sending a low shot to the other side of the visitors’ post but his effort went wide.
The game restarted with a drab performance from the two sides as they showed some level of fatigue in their display.
ABS were awarded a penalty in the 55th minute of play after Ogiri was brought down in the Zamfara goal area.
Charles Eguavon, who has been one of the best players for ABS in the match, stepped forward and sent Zamfara goalkeeper to the wrong side for the goal in the 58th minute.
Eguavon almost scored his second of the match two minutes later when he finished poorly an ABS fantastic team play as he glided the final touch.
Ogiri who is searching for his ABS first goal was denied in the 62nd minute when his shot was blocked as Zamfara defended perfectly.
Ogiri should have made it 3-0 for ABS in the 69th minute but he wasted the opportunity when he lobbed the ball over Zamfara goalkeeper after beating the offside trap.
With a minute before the final whistle, Idris Ajiya failed to reduce the tally for Zamfara as he tried to beat Abdullahi Boje in goal for ABS, but the homers goalkeeper made a vital save.
NAN recalls that ABS drew 1-1 at home to Kebbi United on match Fay 4 as their match Day 5 encounter against Yobe Desert Stars.
The Ilorin based side will lock horns with Kogi United on match Day 7 on Saturday (March 21) at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja.
NAN
