Veteran
goalkeeper, John Gaadi was the hero for Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia
as he saved a controversial 94th minute penalty awarded home side, Plateau
United in Jos to protect his side's unbeaten run to the season.
The Zamfara
State's FIFA badged Abubakar Ago had caused a stir in the last second of the
four minute injury time when he awarded the home side a questionable penalty
insisting that Warriors' captain Austin Obaroakpo had stopped a goal- bound
shot with his arm although the Super Eagles defender protested that the ball
hit his thigh instead.
Ago stood his
ground, pointed to the spot and sent Obaroakpo out but Gaadi saved the day for
the Umuahia-based side as he kept away, a well taken spot kick by Charles
Okafor to the admiration of the Warriors bench which jumped in ecstasy.
Earlier in
the 28th minute, Victor Namo had given Plateau United the lead against the run
of play for a 1-0 first half lead but when play resumed, Abia Warriors
approached the game with more intensity and drew level through Uche Ihuarulam
in the 53rd minute, nodding home a Bolaji Sakin free kick. Thereafter, it
became a ding dong affair as both sides searched for the winner which never
came even with the late minute penalty awarded to the home side.
In his
reaction Abia Warriors Manager, Kennedy Boboye thanked God for the draw pointing
out that the result could have been worse if the penalty had gone in.
The current
Manager of the month of February, who has so far led Abia Warriors to two wins
and three draws, said his team played well and deserved to win but said some
calls by the officials worked against his boys.
No comments:
Post a Comment