A 41st minute goal from Samuel Kalu was the match winning goal between the Anambra Warriors and the visiting Adamawa United team in the curtain raiser of the new 2019-20 Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) season.
Coach Uche Okagbue tutored side was a mix of more of new signings for the club save for the inclusion of the quartet of Sharp Uzoigwe, Charles Okafor the skipper, Jimoh Gbadamosi and 2017 U-15 promises revelation Nansel Bussa. It was a game in which chances where few and far between as both sides tried asserting their will in the early exchanges.
The Anambra Warriors made the first incursion in the box as early as the 4th minute with returnee Ekene Awazie’s defence splitting pass eluding Philip Archibong and Lucius Ozioma with the Goalkeeper Pwadadi Bulus off his line to make a taling save. Philip Archibong miscued in the 17th minute from what should have been the curtain raiser after being fed by Eric Oguocha’s trademark pass in the box. The deadlock was however broken in the 41st minute as Samuel Kalu finished off in a delightful manner a good pass from rampaging Ekene Awazie to send the fortress crowd into a frenzy.
The second half was almost similar to the first, an unmarked Isa Garba almost restored parity in the 49th minute off an idris Abubakar’s ball just outside the box which sailed just wide. United’s shotstopper Bulus would deny Samuel Kalu what would have been his brace in the game with a terrific save in the 53rd minute of the entertaining game. Bulus denied substitute Chibuike Ezeh from 12 yards in the 63rd minute after he was harked down by defender Abba Haruna during a defensive gaffe. The lanky striker Ezeh headed over from about 6 yards from Uche Onuoha’s delightful chip into the box. The Warriors would hang on to claim all three points in the game.
Next up for the Warriors is a trip to Lagos next Sunday to face MFM FC on match day two of the new season.
