TEAM NEWS

There was only one change to the starting eleven from the team that beat Madiba last time out with Abdullahi Usman coming in for Yusuf Abdullahi at Centre forward.

GoalKeeper: 30 - Ifeanyi

Defenders: 36 - Odinaka Okoro, 20 - Femi Ladeinde, 5 - Aliu Salawudeen, 2 - Solomon Uloko.

Midfielders: 8 - Abdulraheem Suleiman, 4 - Sodiq Oshidero, 18 - Kingsley Godday

Forwards: 23 - Alabi Lasisi, 25 - Abdullahi Usman, 19 - Kelvin Unenge

STARTING ON THE FRONT FOOT

Lasisi's dangerous runs down the left flank were a recurring theme. Early in the game, one such run led to a chance when he beat his marker, Toheeb dribbled past his defender and found the overlapping Odinaka, who cut the ball back to Kelvin. However, Kelvin scuffed his shot, and Solomon's subsequent volley from the edge of the box sailed wide.

ABS HANGING IN

Sporting Lagos continued to apply pressure on the ABS backline and would come inches to taking the lead after the ABS goalkeeper made a mess of handling a corner which eventually fell to Femi Ladeinde, but his shot was cleared off the line by an ABS defender. Sporting Lagos were piling on the pressure.

SECOND TIME IS THE CHARM: KELVIN SCORES THE OPENER

ABS had a goal kick and were trying to play out from the back until Lasisi Alabi showed quick thinking to steal the ball back high up and drive into the box, before he then passed to Abdullahi in the box who then laid it back for Kelvin on the penalty spot, where he he scuffed his earlier shot, but this time, he made no mistake, slotting his first time finish down and low past the keeper's right side.

A RARE SCARE

On one of the few occasions ABS were allowed to build up from the back, they were able to fashion a good chance in-behind the Sporting Lagos defence who were caught ball-watching as the ABS striker found himself 1-on-1 with Ifeanyi in the Sporting Lagos goal, but he also managed to scuff his shot wide just before the half-time whistle.

UNLUCKY ABDULLAHI

The second half of the game was more even with both teams struggling to hold on to the ball for sustained periods. However, the best chance of the half fell to Abdullahi Usman who was played through on goal, but after rounding the goalkeeper, he could not manage to dig the ball from out of his weaker foot, leading to the shot going wide, summarising a frustrating afternoon for our striker.

STANDOUT PERFORMERS

Odinaka Okoro: Won basically all his duels, and was a catalyst for many attacks for the team.

Kingsley Godday: was ever present, sped the game up and slowed it down, took the ball forward numerous times as well.

Alabi Lasisi: Carried the team forward, was a constant outlet down the flanks and consistently carried drew fouls with his trickery.

Aliu Salawudeen: Stopped many counterattacks at the start, was ever present in dangerous situations and played a number of incisive passes as well.

WHAT'S NEXT?

This result sees us take 13 points from an available 18 in the first 6 games of the season, having kept 5 clean sheets. We are back on the road this week as we face Godswill Akpabio FC who are fresh off a 1-0 loss after being beaten by Rovers Fc in Uyo this Friday.