Nassarawa 86th minute strike was all experienced JC Raiders FC Asaba needed to down traveling KG Sports Academy U21 on Wednesday at the Squash Club.
Substitute Onyebuchi Chidubem failed to clear his line and striker Nassarawa pounced on the error to fire home with Onyebuchi’s Deflection beat Goalkeeper Michael Agholor in Goal for the Academy boys.
KG Sports Academy U21 held the experienced JC Raiders to 0-0 in the first half. Striker Tony Eseka missed a seater in the 20th minute when he shot inches wide.
Diminutive Wisdom Rogers combined beautifully well in the middle with Victor Thompson to wade off the ravaging Raiders who were using their sizes to advantage.
Skipper Joseph Ukah and Destiny Uwezukwe both in the central defense kept the Raiders strikers away as they couldn’t muster any shot on target keeping goalkeeper Michael Agholor on Holiday for the better part of the match.
Coach David Isunu changed from 4-4-2 in the first half to 4-3-3 introduce talisman Utomi Godstime, Francis Omotunde to join Tony Eseka Upfront and the tactical changes almost paid off as in quick Succession, Tony Eseka’s Bicycle Kick went inches wide and Francis Omotunde came close to putting the Academy boys ahead.
With the Time tickling away, Coach David Isunu took a gamble by pushing his Skipper upfront and brought in substitute Onyebuchi Chidubem who took time to settle into the game and JC Raiders took advantage when Nassarawa pounced on his faulty clearance to fire past Micheal Agholor for the Curtain Raiser.
KG Sports fought back but too late to recover and lost by a lone goal.
“It was a good experience for the boys, we played against a highly experienced team with most players having league experience. So l believe this will expose my boys and help them to be more inspired. Hopefully, we will be back in a week or two for a rematch” KG Sports Director Ken Gadaffi told Sports247.com moments after the final whistle.
