Nigerian National League (NNL) debutantes, Madiba FC began their campaign in the second-tier league with an impressive win which saw them thrash Ekiti United 3-0 at the Onikan Stadium in Lagos on Tuesday.
The match-day one played under the hot weather lived up to expectations as host, Madiba who were crowned the 2022 Nation-Wide League One (NLO) champions continued their dominance on the field of play.
Twenty minutes into the match which witnessed a series of coordinated strings of passes by the host, Madiba dominated play as they remained in the half of the visitors whose defense, however, put up a firm resistance.
But the deadlock was broken by Madiba center-back, Ewodage Abubakar who nodded the ball into the net after connecting with a free kick from Ndubisi Anthony in the 30th minute to give the host the lead.
Attempts by the visiting Ekiti United boys to restore parity proved abortive as the home team pressed high to finish the first half with a 1-nil lead.
The second half resumed with a display of football artistry by the Madiba players which paved way for the second goal in the 76th minute when the referee awarded a penalty after substitute, Egbonwon Harrison was fouled in the 18-yard box.
Madiba forward, Solomon Aliu rose to the occasion as he converted the spot-kick after he sent the Ekiti United goalkeeper the wrong way to double the lead for the Lagos-based team.
With a few minutes to end the match between the two teams, yet another substitute, Egbawon Harrison took advantage of a goal-mouth melee to net the third goal to seal a comfortable victory for Madiba.
In his reaction, Madiba coach, Solomon Bala alluded to the victory to his players listening to instructions, saying that his target is to win the next match.
“My boys listened to instruction, I told them what to do and they did it and we got the victory.”
