FC Ifeanyiubah continue their 100 per cent winning run at home with a hard fought 1-0 victory over hard fighting Warri Wolves on Sunday in a Match Day 12 Nigerian Professional Football League fixture.
Savouring from their victory over unbeaten Abia Warriors midweek, the Seasiders put up a superb performance creating the best chances in the game especially in the first half.
The homer's defence was caught napping as they waited for the offside flag in the 17th minute when a free kick floated into the box. With no defenders to help out, goalkeeper Uche Okafor came up against two attackers; he succeeded in lifting the ball over the first player and lost possession to the second player (Oghenovo Uzezi). Uzezi after beating the keeper neatly took so much time to bury the ball into the net allowing the homers to recover and clearing to safety.
Achibi Ewenike also struck well from the edge of the box but Uche saved well. Odumegwu John missed the best chance of the game in the 25th minute when a rebound fell to him after Okafor saved a shot but he missed from about two yards.
FC Ifeanyiubah gaffer Mitko Dobrev must have seen the lapses in his side and changed things as the homers took the initiative in the second half controlling possession and dominating play.
The Anambra Warriors forced the Seasiders to make lot of mistakes and committing unnecessary fouls in their vital area yet the homers could do nothing meaningful with their set-pieces.
The goal did finally come in the 59th minute when the ball fell to Elu Wilson on the edge of the box after sustained pressure. He beat his marker well and created space for himself to shoot but onrushing Okereke Maduabuchi was better placed and he hit the ball beyond a Dele Ajiboye.
Wolves fought hard for the equalizer and almost got it but Okafor made a point blank save to deny Uzezi in the dying moment of the game.
FC Ifeanyiubah did the needful to maintain their position on the league table and will next travel to Bauchi to tackle Wikki Tourists.
MATCH DETAILS
FC Ifeanyiubah
Uche Okafor 12
Mbonu Ikechukwu 23
Adeleye Olamilekan 4
Cyril Edum 32
Elu Wilson 30
Thompson Emmanuel 13
Ngoma Luamba 34
Bright Onyedikachi 11 (Alberico Da Silva) 82'
Seka Pascal 26
Nico Dao 35 (Tamen Medrano) 50'
Kofi Nti 9 (Okereke Maduabuchi) 31'
Uche Okafor 12
Mbonu Ikechukwu 23
Adeleye Olamilekan 4
Cyril Edum 32
Elu Wilson 30
Thompson Emmanuel 13
Ngoma Luamba 34
Bright Onyedikachi 11 (Alberico Da Silva) 82'
Seka Pascal 26
Nico Dao 35 (Tamen Medrano) 50'
Kofi Nti 9 (Okereke Maduabuchi) 31'
Unused subs
Edwin Nwakamma 1
Adada John 24
Nwosu Oluchukwu 10
Williams Da Silva 15
Coach: Dobrev Mitko
Edwin Nwakamma 1
Adada John 24
Nwosu Oluchukwu 10
Williams Da Silva 15
Coach: Dobrev Mitko
Warri Wolves
Ajiboye Dele 26
Onamado Goodluck 24
Olowoyo Kayode 6
Okpako Solomon 15 (Semiu Laidi) 39'
Nwokolo Obinna 32 (Okiki Omonefe) 79'
Njoku Kelvin 31
Osanga King 9
Yarhere Efe 14
Odumegwu John 34
Ewenike Achibi 27 (Okoyoh Michael) 85'
Oghenovo Uzezi 25
Ajiboye Dele 26
Onamado Goodluck 24
Olowoyo Kayode 6
Okpako Solomon 15 (Semiu Laidi) 39'
Nwokolo Obinna 32 (Okiki Omonefe) 79'
Njoku Kelvin 31
Osanga King 9
Yarhere Efe 14
Odumegwu John 34
Ewenike Achibi 27 (Okoyoh Michael) 85'
Oghenovo Uzezi 25
Unused subs
Rhioghere Tejiri 21
Eyimofe Joseph 3
Egbeta Michael 12
Oghali Shedrack 35
Coach: Ard Sluis
Rhioghere Tejiri 21
Eyimofe Joseph 3
Egbeta Michael 12
Oghali Shedrack 35
Coach: Ard Sluis
FC Ifeanyiubah 1-0 Warri Wolves
Okereke Maduabuchi 59'
Okereke Maduabuchi 59'
STATS
Fouls: 15-28
Shots: 13-13
In target: 5-4
Corner: 4-3
Offside: 0-5
Fouls: 15-28
Shots: 13-13
In target: 5-4
Corner: 4-3
Offside: 0-5
Man Of The Match: Okereke Maduabuchi
By Sanipe Damiete
