Gallant Lions tamed by a late penalty decision

The selection 

Igbehin Peter got his first start for the B side in goal, Akingbade Bonny, Osasu Sunday, Emelike Victor, and Victor Romeo formed a 4-man defense line. Segun Emmanuel came in for the last player of the month nominee Lewey Abednego who partnered with Bello Olayemi, Ilesanmi Fisayo and Victor Crespo started on both flanks. In contrast, the duo of Olanrewaju Abimbola and Oyekola Samuel partnered up front.

Stalemate at halftime

There weren’t many chances created by either side in the first 45 minutes, the state side, however, despite seeing the majority of the ball possession, couldn’t find a way past our defense line, which stood firm to repel every form of attack thrown at them and contained every pressure.

 

Sunshine stars forward had the chance to give his side the lead in the 21st minute after being sent through on goal but fired his attempt wide over the bar, much to the relief of our defense line.

Unlucky end

After the restart, we had the chance to test the opponent’s goalkeeper through a free kick from some yards out, but Ilesanmi Fisayo’s effort was off target.

 

Igbehin Peter, who was starting his first match for the B side, had a hectic second half and made a series of saves to deny the home team from finding a breakthrough, with two of his notable saves coming in the 65th and 70th minutes, where he kept out goal-bound efforts with very good saves to make sure he delivered a man of the match performance despite the loss.

We could have taken the lead, however, in the 82nd minute after Osasu Sunday dribbled his way through from the right side and sent a cut-back pass to Olanrewaju Abimbola, who controlled, turned his marker, and fired a good effort goalwards, but the goalkeeper was alert to keep the effort out with a good save.

 

 

However, the boy’s resolute defending was undone in the 85th minute after an adjudged clumsy challenge by Osasu on Ogunsuyi Odunayo was spotted by the referee, who pointed to the spot with Olorunfemi converting the spot kick to gift the state side a narrow victory over the lions.

What’s next

Training resumes on Saturday morning to continue preparations for other tasks ahead.

Wonderxchange B (4-4-2): Peter; Bonny , Romeo, Victor, Osasu; Segun , Olayemi, Crespo(Niyi 76),Fisayo; Abimbola, Samuel(Vincent 85)

Unused sub: Abednego, Emmanuel, Joseph

Booked: Ilesanmi Fisayo 75’