Impressive Lions performance undone by late controversial penalty call

The Selection

A clean bill of health for the Gbenga Ologun tutored side as they get their bet9ja league campaign underway with no player having to miss out through injury/illness.

Skipper Haruna Yusuf, who has returned from his longtime absence in recent games, earns a start in defensive midfield.

Tope Otaki also gets recalled back to the starting lineup in goal with Peter Igbehin in the reserves.

Bonny Akingbade who missed a few days of training earlier this week, returns to the lineup and is joined by Victor Emelike and Romeo Victor in a 3-man defense setup.

Abednego Lewey earns a start at the expense of Segun Emmanuel who’s fit enough to be named on the reserves to be partnered in midfield by Olayemi Bello.

In-form forward Opeyemi Ogundumila leads the attack and will be supported by lanky forward Niyi Oladimeji.

Cagey 45

The game started with both sides threading with caution and making use of the ball whenever they’re in possession and chances were limited.

The B-lions notable threat in the first half came early in the 5th minute after Opeyemi Ogundumila flicked a free kick from Fisayo Ilesanmi goalwards but his tricky effort sailed narrowly wide.

 

The opponent also had a goal threat in the 30th minute through a free kick but Tope Otaki was up to it and made a very great save to end the first 45 minutes goalless.

Controversy at the end

Both sides resumed the second half with a greater intensity than the first half but it was the B-lions who got a reward for the intensity shown in the 60th minute when forward Niyi Oladimeji sent an effort goalwards from outside the box past the goalkeeper to gift us the deserved lead.

The lead could have been doubled in the 63rd minute when Fisayo Ilesanmi smashed the crossbar with a free kick.

 

The boys continued to press and submerge all the opponent’s attacking threat to get back into the game but unfortunately the referee awarded a penalty to the opponent in the 80th minute when the ball obviously hit Victor Emelike at the back of his head much to the disbelief of everyone present at the match venue except the opponent’s technical stand. They converted from the spot to end the game with both sides sharing the spoils.

What’s next

The B-lions will resume training tomorrow to prepare for the next group game.

Wonderxchange B (3-5-2): Tope; Victor, Romeo, Bonny; Fisayo, Osasu, Haruna, Olayemi, Abednego; Niyi, Opeyemi.

Booked: Niyi 50, Bonny 66, Victor 66

Scorer: Niyi 60

Weliweli FC: Fatai, Tunde, Okagbare, Mercy, Sammy, Alex, Owolo, Amama, Abe, Peace, Casemiro.

Substitutes: Zouma, Papa, Kola, Tolu, Ife.

Scorer: Sammy 81