NNL: Debutant Madiba Win First Match, hit Ekiti United 3-0

Nigeria National League, NNL debutant Madiba FC began their campaign in the second tier league with an impressive 3-0 win over Ekiti United at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan in Lagos yesterday.

The match-day one encounter played under the hot weather lived up to expectation as the hosts who were crowned the 2022 Nation-Wide League One, NLO champion continued their dominance on the field of play.

Ewodage Abubakar broke the deadlock in the 30th minute when he nodded the ball into the net after connecting a free kick from Ndubuisi Anthony to give the hosts the lead.

READ ALSO UFC 286: Usman loses bid to regain title from Leon Edwards by decision

Attempt to restore parity from the visitors proved abortive as the hosts pressed high to finish the first stanza leading with a lone goal.

The second half resumed with display of football artistries by the hosts which paved way for the second goal in the 76th minute after the referee awarded a penalty to Madiba FC after substitute Egbonwon Harrison was fouled in the 18-yard box. Madiba FC forward Solomon Aliu rose to the occasion as he converted the penalty kick to double the lead for the Lagos-based team.

With few minutes to the end of the match, Harrison took advantage of a goal bound effort to net the third goal to seal the victory for the home side.

In his reaction, Madiba FC coach Solomon Bala attributed the victory to his players’ ability to listen to instruction.

“My boys listened to instruction. I told them what to do and they did it and we got the victory.”