Warri Wolves claimed a priceless point at Sporting FC of Lagos on Matchday 20 of the Nigeria National League, NNL, on Wednesday.
The keenly contested tie had ended in a 1 – 1 draw, but it will strengthen the Seasiders’ resolve to press on in their promotion quest to the NPFL.
The early exchanges in the first half indicated that the tie was delicately poised for a long walk, as the two teams could not create clear cut chances to score.
The home team opened scoring through Gbolahan Mustapha four minutes after kick off the second half.
Warri Wolves’ defender Simon Segun had missed his clearance when Mustapha pounced on the loose ball to put Sporting FC 1 – 0 ahead.
With their zeal not dampened, Warri Wolves got their own equalizer 26 minutes later.
Tega Ebetomame, pushed by sheer determination, dispossessed one of the Sporting FC defenders of the ball and quickly released a precise pass to Philip Archibong on the edge of the box.
Archibong struck the ball against the body frame of the Sporting FC goalkeeper, Ekoi Agbor.
Racing from midfield, substitute Falolu Azeez hit the rebound to the bottom left corner.
Six minutes later, Sporting FC almost rattled the Seasiders, as Gbolahan Mustapha saw his well drilled set piece hit the woodwork.
The home team three minutes thereafter came calling again with another opportunity to race into the lead.
Mustapha played the ball beyond Wolves’ goalie, Joshua Oladeji, but Simon Segun stood firmly on the goal line and headed the ball out for a corner kick.
In the 86 minutes, Oladeji was called to duty when Sporting FC skipper Raji Usman’s effort drew an acrobatic save from the Warri Wolves’ goalkeeper.
A final push from a corner kick execution in the 88 minutes was dealt with by Oladeji, who made a low dive to parry it.
Warri Wolves will take the positives from the 1 – 1 draw with Sporting FC to their Matchday 21 encounter at home on Sunday, June 26, as the seasiders will play Ottasolo FC of Lagos.
