BURUJ SPORTS ACADEMY LOST THEIR 1ST HOME GAME [0 : 2] TO COTTAGE F.C. As the appointed Head Coach, Friday Ekpo use the game to read the potentials of the boys.
In the First half of the game Buruj Boys had been committed and confident in their play from the on-set.
Buruj Boys were starting to edge the possession stats, stringing together some nice passing moves and looking to get forward in attack at every opportunity. They flow was momentarily disrupted though when Hammed Hamzat was forced off with an injury and was replaced by Golden Ukaoma.
Cottage FC got a corner kick which Buruj Sports Academy goal keeper Edet Inyang failed to save the ball which calls for a rebounce resulting in their first goal.
Smashed a speculative effort well over the bar from 30 yards, but gradually we grew into the game. On the other wing Yusuf Ridwan burst into the box to latch onto Gideon Usulor a throughball, and although he fell in the offside trap, he couldn’t quite take the ball in his stride and the chance was gone.
Cottage FC striker smashed an effort towards the top corner, which Buruj Sports Academy Skipper Noah Salaudeen did superbly to palm away for a corner. Buruj Boys needed to get into the opposition half to relieve some pressure, but Fatai Aliu failed to launch a rapid counter-attack. He released James Acha who was sprinting at the outnumbered Saints defence, only to be hauled back creating a home goal in favour of Cottage FC.
The fact that there were a couple of covering defenders probably saved the midfielder from a red card for a cynical foul.
Just on the stroke of half-time Golden Ukaoma had a great chance to open the scoring. The opponent striker sent in a dangerous cross, but Buruj Golden Ukaoma failed to make contact with his header.
The second half opened in much the same vein as the first period. Both sides were looking dangerous going forward.
Buruj Boys remained patient trying to understand the game in the build up. Rather than shooting first time, they took a touch, sold a dummy to floor two Cottage FC defenders and slotted home comfortably past Forster. He made it look so easy but unable to equalize
Samson Austine was penalized for a meaty challenge and rough tackle just outside the area in a central position, even if it looked like he had won the ball cleanly. The Opponent striker struck the free-kick well, but it curled wide of the post.
Buruj Sports Academy Head Coach summon courage in the players and told them its just the beginning, he also advised the players to improve more in their ball control and passing accuracy to increase the team’s flexibility on the pitch, besides he raise blame on the defense line and midfielders for hanging on balls for too long.
The CEO of Buruj Sports Academy said “The strikers are not really committed to the game to give out their best for the benefit of the team, they lack positioning, also the goal keeper’s performance was below expectation due to lack of communication through the defense line and shooting accuracy.”
In addition the boys need to work on their basic football techniques. The game is used to gain exposure for the players and he urge them to listen to instructions from the experienced coaches and practice what they are told on the field of play.
Loosing their first match today made them lost their winning bonus from the CEO, it is a note of warning to them that football is beyond what they watch on the TV Screen.
