The Head Coach of Abia Comets, Kevin Okechukwu Ejeh said the determination to get a positive result pushed his boys to squeeze out the lone goal victory over 1472 FC of Lagos last weekend.

According to the Coach, "the Boys Were determined to play, because of what the team is facing recently. Actually the last two games they put in their best performance. The Penalty We missed, increased their hunger to get the maximum 3 points which later paid off in the 81 minutes. They played to instructions because the game plan was to press high up the pitch and interpreted well. It was a great team performance from the boys. I wasn't surprised though because they gave Me their words that they will play for Me" he said. 

A Second half substitute, Emeka Maduka made the big difference, as he scored in the final nine minutes of the game as Abia Comets Football Club of Umuahia defeated Lagos based club, 1472 FC 1-0, to secure its first win of the year. 

The encounter, which is a  Matchday 7 fixture in the Nigeria National League (NNL) Southern Conference Group A, which took place at the Umuahia Township Stadium, as Comets recorded back-to-back victories for the first time this season. 

Four changes were made from the Comets Team that started in the Matchday 6 away 3-2 victory at Abeokuta Stormers; with the inclusion of Akpan Mfreke, Ebuka Lazarus, Hyacinth Olieh and Chinatu Eluwa back into the starting XI

The host started the game on a bright note with most of the ball possession in the first 20 minutes of the encounter. They created lot's of goals scoring opportunities via Uche Okoro and Oscar Nwaimo, who had a man of the match performance that saw their long range efforts saved by the goalkeeper. 

However, Hyacinth Olieh got a great opportunity to give Abia Comets the lead from the spot kick, in the 30th minute, but it wasn't the case, as the ball went over the crossbar.

But nothing could separate both sides as it ended goalless in the first half of the encounter. 

In the second half, the hosts made couple of substitutions to put more force to the team with the introductions of Maduka, Ikenna Ogu, Okere Daniel and Iroakazi Ifeanyi.

The match winner came throughwhen Benjamin IIuyomade produced a moment of brilliance, when he located Maduka inside the opponent box, before the impressive winger calmly slotted home in the 81st minute, to help the Okechukwu Ejeh side secure the maximum points and also the first victory of the year.

With the victory, Comets have moved further on the Southern Conference Group A Log on Nine (9) points from seven games. 

 

The Ejeh led side, will be on the road in her next league fixture, against Smart City FC, in a Matchday 8 encounter, next week Friday, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos.