Impressive Lions with an Independence Day win over the visitors from Ibadan

Pre-match Formalities

The Selection

The gaffer reverted to his regular XI with Emmanuel Yakubu returning from injury while the trio of Lekan, Sunday, and Seun are recalled back to the lineup. Ever present, Afolabi started at the base of the midfield, with Melody also making his first start since recovering from an ankle sprain. Akpovie and Omolade were preferred to start as wingbacks, while Amaechi, Oluwatobi, and Chinedu completed the front three.

Impressive start

The Lions went all out from kick-off and made sure they stamped the superiority by gaining control of the match in the early stages and having the majority of ball possession, which went on to pay off just 11 minutes after kickoff when Amaechi Sunday was brought down in the box, he stepped up to take the kick and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to gift us the lead. The visitors, however, restored parity in the 15th minute after the referee felt one of our defenders handled the ball in our box and pointed to the spot with the captain of the side Basit, relieved as Emmanuel could only manage to push the effort into the net.

We restored our lead in the 28th minute, this time through a screamer from a distance by Michael Akpovie after Melody set him up from a quick play to ensure the first thrilling half ended with the Lions taking the lead.

Second half 

The boys picked up from where they left off immediately after the game resumed and continued to take control, but unfortunately, they conceded another penalty in the 60th minute, this time through a clumsy challenge by Ojo Seun with the visitor’s skipper converting to get his brace.

However, unperturbed by the equalizer, our skipper Lekan Ajeyomi restored the lead just 2 mins after with a brilliant header off a dead ball cross from Omolade Ibitayo, and the lions went on to remain in control and saw out the keenly contested affair with a win to start the month on a positive note.

What’s next

training resumes on Monday as the boys will be expected to finalize preparations for the bet9ja league actions.

Wonderxchange FC (3-4-3): Emmanuel; Lekan, Seun, Sunday(Samson 80), Akpovie, Omolade(Tope 80), Afolabi(Adedayo 70), Melody(Emeka 80); Chinedu, Tobi(Musa 80), Amaechi(Oloore 80)

Scorers: Amaechi pen 11, Akpovie 28, Lekan 62