Sports
NGWO FC of Enugu on Saturday defeated Nkanu FC 3-1 after a penalty kicks shootout following a 1-1 draw to reach the semi-finals of the ongoing Coal City Football League.
In a quarter-final match played at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC) pitch, Nkanu took the lead in the opening minute through Ekene Nwobodo.
Ngwo restored parity in the 78th minute through Arinze Ogbodo.
Both teams changed their goalkeepers when it was glaring the match was going into a penalty shootout.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the league, also known as “Boolu Ogbe”, is being sponsored by betting company Betking Nigeria.
in a post-match interview, Uchechukwu Ude, the coach of Nkanu FC, said his team lost the match to a good side and noted that “penalty kicks is anybody’s game”.
“We are debutants in this league. So, I am proud of my team for reaching this stage after going through the so-called group of death.”
On his part, Anistar Izuikem, the Ngwo FC coach, said the match was a game for the fans, because they enjoyed every bit of it.
“Though I was red-carded by the centre referee, when I complained of the opponent’s unnecessary delay of the game, but it was a good game.
“Even after that incident, my players did not lose focus and went ahead to equalise. I think that was the turning point for my team.
“I wish to call on referees to cut down on errors as the game has entered the knockout stage where teams do not have a second chance.
“I wish everybody will do the right thing at this stage, so that we will enjoy the beauty of the game,” Izuikem said.(NAN)
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Tags: Anistar Izuikem Arinze Ogbodo. Ngwo FC
