Abdulsalam Lekan scored FC Nilayo’s first goal in the 2019/20 Nigeria National League season with a lovely lob in a 1-1 draw against visiting Abia Comets on Sunday at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta.
Playing in the second Division for the first time ever, the home side showed flashes of brilliance right from the blast of the whistle with several attempts in the first ten minutes but the visitors defence kept the Abeokuta based outfit at bay.
Kabiru Popoola put up a decent show for FC Nilayo in the middle of the park and he was the cynosure of all eyes immediately the game started as his vision, strength and decisions were almost flawless.
Goalkeeper Isah Ismail thought he had gathered the ball in the 13th minute but the visitors’ Isiah Babajide and Seun Falana combined well for a tap in goal after the error.
The home side’s response was swift and it paid off in the 36th minute when Lekan Abdulsalam scored a goal of the season contender for an equaliser.
Abdulsalam Lekan collected a long ball, spotted the goalkeeper off his line and sent a lovely lob from way out exquisitely and the game ended all square at half time.
The Second half started almost the way the first ended with Coach Goodluck Obilo side on the front burner for most of the second period, chances were then created by both sides but they couldn’t find the winner and shared the spoils in the league opener.
Coach Goodluck Obilo after the game said “Though we wanted to win, we cannot shy away from the fact that we played against a very decent side, we have a very young team and we will pick the positives in the game straight to the next game where we are confident of getting something”
“I’m really proud of the boys, their first shot in the Nigeria National League ended impressively and I believe they will get better subsequently”.
FC Nilayo will next visit Osun United on Saturday, November 30, 2019 in Osogbo to honour the match day two Nigeria National League fixture.
