Match Report: Abia Warriors vs Dakkada F.C

Recap

For the second successive season, Abia Warriors were unable to defeat plucky Dakkada in a league tie as both teams settled for a share of the spoils in an entertaining 1-1 draw played at the Okigwe Township Stadium, Okigwe, Imo State on Sunday.

Goals from Yusuf Yusuf and Godwin Obaje in the 67th and 73rd minutes ensured both teams went home with a point each at the end of the game.

The home team had the early opportunities but it was the visitors that came closer to opening scoring when Markson Ojobo’s miscued the ball to present Yusuf Yusuf with a chance to score. He was denied by Yeo Chacool who rushed back to clear the ball.

Abia Warriors got their chance in the 25th minute through Innocent Gabriel when the defender intercepted a loose ball and directed his effort toward the goal. His goal-bound shot was surprisingly deflected for a corner kick.

The flurry of missed chances continued in the 50th minute when Godwin Obaje failed to convert after he was teed up by Lawal. Despite being one on one with goalkeeper Thomas Omokhudu, he was unable to get the opener.

The visitors finally got the curtain-raiser in the 67th minute with substitute Adewale Lasisi dribbling his way into Abia Warriors’ vital area before giving a pass to Yusuf Yusuf to put the ball beyond the reach of Goalkeeper Pius Ibrahim.

Barely two minutes after Dakkada scored, Abia Warriors was awarded a penalty kick after Chidi Nwachukwu was adjudged to have been fouled in the visitors’ goal area and Godwin Obaje dispatched it with aplomb in the 73rd minute.

Bello Lukman and Emmanuel Charles were also presented with decent chances to be the match hero for both teams but they fluffed the opportunities as both sides settled for a draw.

There was a minute silence in honour Shooting Stars’ former General Manager, Rasheed Balogun who died on Thursday night in Ibadan after a prolonged ailment.

What does this mean?

The draw didn’t help Abia Warriors desire to move up the league table and they are 13th on the log with nine points from eight games but Dakkada bagged their first away point of the season and are 15th on the table with eight points from eight games.

What next?

Abia Warriors will travel to the New Jos Stadium for a date with Plateau United while Dakkada will face Enugu Rangers in Benin City. Both games hold on Sunday.