NPFL all-stars got their second win of the 2017 Amapro Championship as they overcame a strong and disciplined NNL all-stars side in a 7-goal thriller at the Kwara State Stadium on Wednesday.
NNL all stars Striker, Abu Suleiman was all over the defence of NPFL all stars since the first minute of the game and almost scored the opener early in the game, after putting a ball over Kazeem Yeken but it could only hit the top bar.
The NPFL allstars still got their rhythm, as Segun Alebiosu scored a tap in from Abdulrahman Bashir’s assist. The creator of the first goal, Abdulrahman Bashir got the second, some seconds after the opener, rounding NNL all-stars goalkeeper Are Wasiu before slotting the ball home to an empty net.
Abu Suleiman tormented Seun Sogbeso and Akeem Onigberi until he finally got his breakthrough, when Samuel Oyedeji the captain of the NNL all-stars side hit a screamer, which Yeken punched to Abu Suleiman, who calmly headed home the rebound to put life to the game in the 22nd minute.
In the 40th minute, Isiaka Olawale curled in a freekick from the edge of the box, giving Are Wasiu no chance to save a beauty.
Just before the break, Samuel Oyedeji tried the same ball, in the same fashion he got the assist for the first goal, but this time, Yeken could not save and the first half ended 3-2 with the NPFL all-stars ahead.
Despite the fact that, Suraj Ayeleso came on for Kazeem Yemen at the restart, the NNL allstars still got their equaliser through Abu Suleiman in the 50th minute.
Things took a turn, and it was looking like the NPFL allstars had so much pressure on themselves. In the 52nd minute, Ayeleso intended to start an attack with a pass to Issa Mogaji, who couldn’t get to the ball quicker, and instead went with a tackle on Ibrahim Abdullahi who got to the ball before him. The tackle got Issa Mogaji sent off in the 52nd minute as the NPFL all-stars now have a mountain to climb.
Minutes later, Akeem Onigbari conceded a penalty for the NPFL all-stars but Samuel Oyedeji failed to convert as the ball hit the top bar.
Wasiu Jimoh, Ajiboye Otegbeye were introduced into the game by NPFL all stars, and the substitution paid off, when Ajibola Otegbeye scored a rebound in the 85th to seal the win for the NPFL all stars.
The NPFL all-stars now have 6points in two games, while the NNL all stars are on three points. The Amateur all-stars also got their first win of the tournament in a 3-0 win over Non-Leaugers.
On Thursday, The NNL all stars will play the Non Leaguers for a place in the final, while the NPFL all stars will hope to contain any upset from the Amateur all-stars.
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