The much talked about and anticipated quarter-final clash between Elkanemi Juniors FC and Jazzy Stars FA lived to its billing as football fans that thronged the Gee-Lec field were treated to some of the best football action and thrills from the blast of the whistle to the end of the tough encounter.
Jacob Francis put Elkanemi Juniors in front in the 11th minute with a thunderous shot that beat Jimmy Rudge in post for Jazzy Stars hollow.
Jazzy Stars captain, Samuel Nanjwan restored parity in the 72nd minute via the penalty spot after Daniel Johnson was brought down in the 18-yard box by the Elkanemi defence.
A clinical interchange of passes between right full-back, Freedom Istifanus and midfield maestro, Nanjwan Samuel set up Titus Bulus to finish up with a bullet of a shot to put the Galaxies in front in the 74th minute.
Long-throw specialist, Babatunde Akomolede, put the icing on the cake for Jazzy Stars in the 80th minute to take the match beyond the reach of Elkanemi Junior to end the quarter-final encounter, 3-1.
Coach of Jazzy Stars FA, Isreal Oladayo, who has been saddled with the responsibilities of heading the team in absence of the newly wedded Chief Coach, Caleb Theophilus, who’s still enjoying his honeymoon, commend the players for playing according to the script.
In Coach Isreal Oladayo’s voice: “Elkanemi juniors are a very good side and its always war anytime Jazzy Stars and Elkanemi Junior play. But I must praise my players for playing to instructions.”
Assistant Coach of Elkanemi Juniors, Choji Chung James, who rated the standard of the game as very high, commended the technical crew of Jazzy Stars for the last fifteen minutes substitutions that swung the action to their favour.
Coach Choji continues: “Elkanemi held possession in the first half and that’s why we got that early goal, but our substitution failed us, but the last 15 minutes substitutions helped Jazzy Stars to turn the game around. Both teams played some good football you can only see at the top level of football.”
The third quarter-final clash takes place today as Gee-Lec Under-17 battle it out with the Tijara football club.
The match is slated for 4 pm at the Gee-Lec field, Dogon Dutse, Jos.
