Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin FC on Wednesday defeated their hosts Danjuma Babes FC of Lagos 1-0 in a preseason friendly match.
The game which was played at the main bowl of the National stadium, Surulere, Lagos, saw the hosts controlled much of the possessions in the early stages of the match.
By the time the Saraki Boys settled into the match, newly recruited striker, Okechukwu Jonathan wasted so many scoring opportunities before he was replaced in the game.
Shola Abdulrahman, who rose through the ABS youth team, marshalled the midfield perfectly and was always creating opportunities for Jonathan to score but the striker was wasteful throughout his stay on the pitch.
The hosts would have taken the lead in the 21th minute when David Etim beautiful pass found Solomon Egwu in the ABS box but the attacker glided the chance over the bar.
ABS left fullback Olamide Mudasir released a powerful shot in the 32nd minute but his effort hit the woodwork leaving Jonathan with only a tap in from close range but the striker again ballooned the chance.
Charles Eguavon was in the right position at the right time to tap in Isiaka Nasir’s cross from close range in the 40th minute for the Saraki Boys’ goal.
The hosts restarted the 2nd half of the game better than the visitors in search of an equaliser but both Godwin Abah and Victor Alade defended well throughout the game to secure the 1-0 win.
ABS Technical Adviser, Hassan Abubakar, said after the match that he was not carried away by the win but will always build on every success recorded after each match.
He said the team is still in the making while he put finishing touches to the squad through friendly matches like the one against his Wednesday’s opponents.
The Saraki Boys will now lock horns with Crown FC of Ogbomoso on Thursday in Ogbomoso at 3pm.
