The Creative Championship League has returned after several weeks off and the first fixture saw the top of the table Remo Stars survive a scare to get a point against bottom side Imperial and remain top of the table.
Imperial took an early lead courtesy of a 13th-minute strike from Chidera Ezeno and they extended their lead before halftime to take a two-goal advantage into the break and Coach Olumide believed his boys were punished for gaps and not being incisive.
“The match was great for all the right reasons. The gaps in concentration were duly punished and imperial had the upper hand early on. We had control for most parts but we were not incisive, we passed in front of the defense, didn’t stretch them enough, and could not provoke the spaces available,” coach of Remo Stars U19 Olumide Ajibolade told Sports247.
Remo Stars fought back in the second half, the coach made two changes which proved vital in the game bringing on Ayomide Ogungbe and Ezekiel Light and both players got the goals that secured a point for the team.
“We changed our shape in the second half and brought on Buchi and Ezekiel who are more direct and the spaces began to open up centrally. Ayomide helped us to move the ball between the phases quicker and we were able to get back in the game. The resilience in the boys is evident and is an attribute that is part of the clubs’ ethos,” Olumide said.
“We take a point and have two games left to be champions, the ball is still in our court. The league is such an amazing platform to afford these boys the much-needed experience,” he concluded.
