The Lions of Naija yesterday recorded a 2-1 victory against NLO side Nordic FC, at the Nsit Ibom Stadium, Akwa Ibom State.
Brazilian tactician Rafael Everton stuck to the squad he used to prosecute the friendly game against Abia Warriors in Umuahia with the only replacement coming in the substitute list. Daniel Ekpo who didn’t make the trip to Umuahia was named as a substitute, replacing new signing Damilare Babatunde.
Nordic boys had the first attempt at goal when Awolowo Felix sent in a long shot at goal. Goalkeeper Anderson Okekem was caught on-guard as he rose to the challenge.
Four minutes later (10′), Lawrence Effiong with a pacy display on the ball from the right, sent in a cross to his teammate Alberico Da Silva who was stationed in the box of the Opponents. Da Silva had only the Goalkeeper of Nordic boys Chukwu Josiah to beat. Right at it, the Brazilian shot inches wide.
Three minutes later, Aberico received another ball from lanky Ekerete Udom, but again could not convert.
David Mark and Godwin Ekpo were exceptional in defence for the Lions of Naija denying the NLO boys Nordic FC chances at goal.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 36th minute when Ichoron Nathaniel was left to battle it out with goalkeeper Anderson Okekem right in the box. Okekem ran out too much and Ichoron saw the chance to send a long ball right into the net.
The opponents gathered more confidence at goal afterwards but scoreline remained 1-0 at halftime.
After the re-start, two fine assists from Brazilian Alberico Da Silva at different times in the second half was all the Lions’ needed to change the course of the game. Trailing by a lone goal, determination was high for both sides, evident in the manner of play. Then came the equalizer for the Lions’ from a 54th minute free-kick by Da Silva. The free-kick caused an area scramble and finally first half substitute Kolawole Daniel wrestled the ball into the net with a header.
As if that was not enough, Sampson Hussaini scored a second for the Lions of Naija making it 2-1 in the 61st minute.
A change in the goal keeping department for the Lions’ still saw impressive strings of saves from Peter Idongesit, picking up from where Anderson Okekem stopped.
Game ended 2-1 in favour of Vandrezzer FC.
Today’s game is the third friendly game in four days for the Lions’ and first victory after losing to Abia Comets by a lone goal on Sunday and recording a goalless draw against NPFL side Abia Warriors the following day in Umuahia.
The Lions will engage Ebonyi side Cynosure FC, on Saturday, in the fourth game of their friendly series.
POST MATCH THOUGHTS
“I love the way Vandrezzer FC played. They are a bigger team and we’ve learnt from them in today’s game. I’ve only groomed my boys for two weeks but yet they played well. We conceded but now we’ve learnt how to hold onto the lead till the final whistle”.
*Anthony Ibe Victor (Head Coach,Nordic FC)*
“The problem we had today is that we didn’t play well because of fatigue. I’m not too happy with the performance today but we need to continue to work and plan ahead of the next games. I have to give them a day off to ease off the fatigue and I hope we make it well in the next game”
*Rafael Everton (Head Coach – Vandrezzer FC)*
