Lions get the season started on a positive note
The selection
Four of our new signings, Bobola Ojo, Miracle Edwin, Ayodele Omotayo and Oluwarotimi Aderibigbe made their debut and got a spot in the starting lineup.
Coach Olayiwola opted for a 4-3-3 setup with Emmanuel Yakubu preferred in goal while Ojo Bobola and Victor Romeo partnered in defence. Skipper Lekan Ajeyomi was used in a makeshift position at the base of the midfield. Academy graduate Ayodele Omotayo played alongside Lewey Abednego in the central midfield position with Edwin Miracle and Onome Adepoju occupying the fullback positions.
The trio of Opeyemi Michael, Oluwarotimi Aderibigbe and Chinedu Okorie partnered upfront.
Cautious first 45
Neither side created any clear cut chances in the first 45 minutes as both sides played with caution by trying to maintain a rhythmic playing pattern. The only real chance for the Lions came in the 44th minute but Chinedu’s effort was too feeble to beat the keeper.
Omolade breaks the deadlock
The Lions however picked up the pace after the break and almost got a reward for it in the 49th minute. This was after a nice solo effort from Oluwarotimi Aderibigbe saw him set up Edwin Miracle on the right. Miracle then sent in a pitch perfect square play which was almost scrambled in by Opeyemi and Chinedu but the defence cleared their line quickly.
The deadlock was however broken in the 75th minute when Osasu Sunday who had a very good game since coming on sent a long ball forward from defense. Musa Hassan managed to get his head to the ball before the goalkeeper and the ball fell graciously to Omolade Ibitayo who tucked the ball into an unguarded net to give us the lead and the match winner.
What’s next?
The Lions continue with preparations for the Prince Olumide preseason tournament kicking off this weekend in Ikere-Ekiti.
Wonderxchange (4-3-3): Emmanuel (Tope 90), Romeo (Victor 85), Bobola (Tomisin 71), Onome (Omolade 52), Miracle (Osasu 52), Lekan, Abednego (Amaechi 54), Omotayo (Olayemi 66), Opeyemi (Musa 60), Chinedu, Oluwarotimi (Lekan 76)
Unused subs: Micheal, Peter, Mathias, Peter, Crespo, Oluwaseun, Femi, Oluwatobi, Seun.
Goalscorer: Omolade 75′
Assist: Musa 75′
Pacesetters : Temitope, Opeyemi, Muyideen, Odunayo, Tommy, Nonso, Tobiloba, Damilola, Ayodeji, Azeez, Tosin
Substitues: Abutu, Wahab, Ayo, Malato, Ayo, Kante, Possi, Papa