Osun United were on Wednesday, 1st May, 2019 held to a 1-1 draw by the visiting Abia Comets of Umuahia in the matchday 3 of the ongoing Nigeria National League (NNL), sports247.ng learns
Media Officer of Oshogbo outfit, Tajudeen Ahmad said the pulsating encounter which held at the Oshogbo Township Stadium saw artistic displays by the Omoluabi Giants who were led in the attack by the starboy, Gafar Olafimihan who remained a threat to the defence of Abia Comets from the blast of the whistle.
Throughout the first half, Abia Comets were unable to get a single on-target attempt as the “iron gate” of Osun United, spearheaded by former Nigeria U-20 defender, Suraj Sodiq remained firm while Andrew Kabgat and Bestman Demua terrorized Abia Comets’ back four.
Attempts by Kabgat, Gafar and Bestman in the first half were kept at bay by the shot stopper of Abia Comets, Salami Kelvin.
The rejuvenated Omoluabi Giants who remained dominant from the beginning of the second half were denied a goal by the woodwork in the 66th minute following a well taken free kick by Demua.
However, Abia Comets took the lead in the 71st minute when their lanky striker, Abdulkareem Mumini nodded in from a close range following a well taken cross from the right flank.
Gafar Olafimihan responded immediately when he calmly controlled a pullout from Sodiq Suraj and slotted it into the yearning net in the 72nd minute.
Not satisfied with this, the hard fighting Osun United made another build up from the midfield through AbdulRahman which led to a tap-in by Gafar in the 76th minute but was ruled out for offside by AR1.
All efforts by the Omoluabi Giants to get the required 3 points were unsuccessful as Abia Comets, who also forced 3sc to a 1-1 draw in Ibadan held on.
Osun United’s Coach Samson Unuanel while speaking with newsmen after the game said “my boys played to instruction which can be seen by their dominance throughout the game. It was a pity that we were denied the maximum victory in the game through a goal ruled for offside”.
“We will work harder before our next game away at Enugu as some teething lapses that have been penciled down will be corrected”. “We therefore appreciated the fans and supporters for their loyalty and we promised to give them what to cheer about at the end”, said Unuanel.
Osun United’s next game is against Giant Brillars of Enugu on Saturday, 4th May, 2019 in Enugu.
