The Ikon Allah Boys recorded her fourth consecutive home win against wounded Rangers Int’l who were in search of an away points following defeats at Lobi Stars and Enyimba FC.
Niger Tornadoes started the game the brightest as early as the second minute when Chinedu Ufere headed the ball direction of Segun Alebiosu who shoots quite high.
The intent to snatch an early lead was evidence as the hosts continued to dominate, Jonas Emmanuel was set free and had a chance to shoot but instead preferred to drag the ball forward and was easily dispossessed.
On the 23rd minute, Rangers player handled the ball inside the box as Lukman Mohammed tried to beat his marker in what was an obvious obstruction of movement and a hand ball inside the penalty area but the referee chose to wave away.
Persistent pressure on the visitors resulted in a goal on the 32nd minute when Segun Alebiosu was left unmarked inside the danger area after being fed by Jonas Emmanuel and made no mistake as he smashed the ball passed Seidu Mutawakilu in goal for Rangers, for his first goal in his third stint with the Ikon Allah Boys.
The hosts squandered several scoring opportunities with Segun Alebiosu the chief culprit as the referee sounds his whistle for half time.
Second half resumed and the visitors looked the more determined to snatch an early equaliser as the Flying Antelopes enjoyed a spell of possession, pressure paid of for the visitors when Kenechukwu Agu found his way passed Abiodun Adebayo and fired a low shot beyond the reach of Lucky Abdullahi who stretched but failed to get a hand on the ball, to hand the visitors an equaliser on the 55th minute.
Tornadoes brought on last week’s match winner Musa Wakili in place of Edoh Ocheme while Ahmadu Liman subbed off Lukman Mohammed and soon afterwards, the dou brought life and tenacity into the team’s play, the visitors were second time lucky as the referee refused to penalized after Ahmadu Liman who streaked away with the ball was brought down by Rangers player inside the box in a one on one situation.
Pressure continued to pile on the visitors as the hosts continued search for a match winner, Musa Wakili was freed with the ball in the danger area as he attempted to turn and shoot, he got hacked down and the referee was left with no option than point to the spot. Musa Wakili picked up the ball and sent Mutawakilu the wrong direction in what was a brilliant penalty take, to shoot the hosts ahead and make it his third goal of the season.
Further efforts by the Flying Antelopes to find an equaliser proved abortive as the hosts held tight.
