Airtel’s quest to play in its first ever Nigeria Telecoms Games final was kept alive with a brilliant performance against Alcatel-Lucent. Smarting from a 1 – 0 loss last season, a loss that kicked them out of the tournament, they came out with one intent – to get all 3 points.
Airtel started the game in commanding fashion. Pegging Alcatel into their half and forcing them into hurried clearances.With Alcatel defending frantically, it was only a matter of time before the goal came and when it did come, it came from the spot. Gbenga Oshunyinka was felled in the box and he proceeded to take the resultant penalty, putting it past goalkeeper Adebosin Abayomi. Airtelwere back in the thick of things five minutes later as they kept peppering Alcatel with series of attacks.
Goal scorer Gbenga Oshunyinka then turned provider as he released Wale Bakare with an exquisite pass for him to power past the goalkeeper.
Two goals soon became three as Wale Bakare scored the third five minutes from the end of the first half.
The second half saw a more resolute Alcatel who defended better and also showed some attacking intent. Their efforts was however to no avail as Wale Bakare bagged his hat trick ten minutes from. The tie ended 4 – 0 with Airtel going top of the table.
ALCATEL: Adebosin Abayomi, Odiamma Chuka – Cpt, Teslim Olaosebikan, Faruq Kolawole, Edet Enoch, Uchenna Nwachukwu, Abimbola Ogunjimi, Ogili Kenneth, Yusuf Abiodun, Femi Fadipe, Salau Kazeem
SUBS: Michael Okoli, Joseph Iboro, Kamaldeen Oladipo, Adebisi Fasae
AIRTEL: Samuel Agenms, Austin Ogwuche, Shina Sobulo, Alaba Adelaja, Adeleye Tejuosho – Cpt, Tobiloba Adeladan, Uchenna Chikwendu, Gbenga Oshunyinka, Kenneth Kanu, Okey NwabuezeWale Bakare
SUBS: Seun Oridota, Muyiwa Ojuitan, Balogun Foluso, Emeka Okonkwo, Lukman Salami, Babatunde Arobieke, Bashir Aremu, Oladapo Oluwadiya, Charles Ohazuruike, Jude Onicha
Eternal rivals MTN and Etisalat locked horns on match day of the 2014 Nigeria Telecoms Games. MTN had it all to play for. First there was the curious case of revenge having lost the 2013 final to Etisalat. Second, they lost their opening match to Airtel, so it was imperative that they win as a loss would jeopardize their chances of playing a fourth final in a row.
MTN made several changes to the side that lost 1 – 0 to Airtel. Returning to the starting line-up was Yusuf Abubakar, Francis Nungwa replaced Anthony Ilo in goal while Kunle Kuyinu was put on the bench.The defending champions understanding the importance of this game chose to keep David Ore and George Aremu on the bench while Segun Daudu started.The game started at a frenetic pace as MTN took the game to Etisalat, closing them down and not affording them space to play their usual passing game. Etisalat however kept their shape and looked to catch MTN on the break. With MTN throwing men forward in an effort to force open the Etisalat defence, they left gaps at the rear which Joseph Akpata and Taofeek Badmus worked hard to ensure are not utilised.
For all MTN’s possession they rarely forced Nelson Okotie in goal for Etisalat to work. The deadlock was however broken with 10 minutes of the first half left to play. A corner kick was swung into the box by Solomon Ajala and Captain Andrew Enebeli directed it in beyond the reach of Francis Nungwa with a powerful header.
The second half saw MTN try to make a fight of it, but Etisalat had the wind in their sails and began to assert themselves more. With 10 minutes of the second half left to play, Andrew was at it again. After an uncharacteristic error by Adeoba Adeleke gifted Etisalat a throw in, David Ore took the opportunity to send in a pin point cross to Andrew Enebeli to power in a spectacular bicycleta to double Etisalat’s advantage.
MVP: ANDREW ENEBELI (ETISALAT)
MTN: Francis Nungwa, Adebola Kuyinu, Adeoba Adeleke, Tade Aderibigbe (Tony Itoitoi), Joseph Akpata – Cpt, Taofeek Badmus, Yusuf Abubakar, Kareem Ebuoghare (Macdaniel Ikwe), Jabar Aminu (Kunle Kuyinu), Aliche Iheukwumere, Fisayo Popoola (Kunle Ojabowale)
SUBS: Tony Ilo, Adewale Akinyele, Chigozie Emeka, Leke Ogunnami, Segun Edwards, Prince Iroegbu, Harold Mordi
ETISALAT: Nelson Okotie, Segun Daodu, Usman Jamiu, Kingsley Daniels, Khalid Agboola, Tony Otekhile, Chinedu Oghughuo (Ore David), Solomon Ajala (Chianugo Onyenekwe), Edore Eghwubare (Osere Osunbor), Andrew Enebeli – Cpt (Oyinloye Opeyemi), Ayokunle Ayeni
SUBS: George Aremu, Kola Olatoye, Ogunjimi Bodunde, Anthony Brosu, Alabi Gafar, Taiwo Jamiu, Matthew Ogbuani, Ayodeji Aremu, Nelson Obi
Fela is the Co-founder of MediaVision Limited .
