Second half substitute, Okere Daniel scored within 53 seconds to help Abia Comets FC secure a vital away point, after they held Lagos-based club, Smart City FC, to a 1-1 draw, on Saturday. 

The encounter, which is a Matchday 8 clash, of the 2023/24 Nigeria National League (NNL) Southern Conference Group A was played at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos. 

The hosts took an early lead inside five minutes, through Ahmed Adepoju, who headed home past Comets' goalkeeper, Chibueze Lambert, despite his attempt to save it from going into the back of the net.

In the 35th minute, Comets' forward Jonah James, came very close to level it 1-1, but his close range strike could not beat off Smart City FC goalkeeper, Semi Adebayo. 

Few minutes later, John Otomewo and Okechukwu Chukwu had brilliant opportunities to restore parity but their long range efforts were saved by the goalkeeper. 

In the second half, It was a different Abia Comets side, who came alive in the game, when they brought in the likes of Maduka Emeka and Okere Daniel to replace Prince Nwachukwu and Jonah James. 

However, the substitutions changed the narrative of the game, when Okere made a great run inside the box to slot home a delightful through pass by Chinedu Nwankpa for the equalizer in the 47th minute, to score his second goal of the season. 

Emeka (Ogbunma) made a great impact when he came into the game, and nearly helped Comets to secure the maximum points, when he went on a solid individual run to dribble past two Smart City defenders but Otomewo was unable to finish it. 

 

The Umuahia-based side held on to secure a vital away point, and also extended her unbeaten run to three games. 

The draw moves Abia Comets FC up the log in the Southern Conference Group A standings on 10 points, from eight games. 

Comets will be playing at home, in the next league fixture, against Uyo-based club Dakkada FC, in a Matchday 9 encounter, on January 20th, 2024, at the Umuahia Township Stadium.