ERICSSON SLOWS AIRTEL FLIGHT
Week 3 of the Nigeria Telecoms Games started off with plenty of expectations. With two wins from their first two games, Airtel were expected to win this one especially as they had beaten former champions MTN.
Things however have a funny way of not going to script and LM Ericsson were bent on flipping the script.
LM Ericsson’s first goal came from their first attack and it had a bit of fortune to it. Goalkeeper Samuel Agenms of Airtel collided with Ericsson’s Charles Daferiogho allowing Mike Oduom to go on and slot into an empty net for goal number one.
. In one of their numerous forays upfront, LM Ericsson was able to break down the Airtel attack and bear down the pitch in a counter attacking move which found Mike Oduom. He went on to float a curler in the path of Akintosoye Kayode who scored on the second attempt. A goal came through Segun Oridota for Airtel in the final minute, but it was too little too late.
ALICHE LEADS MTN TO COMMANDING WIN
After two losses MTN decided to rest their mercurial captain Joseph Akpata. This meant that Debola Kuyinu partnered Taofeek Badmus in defence. Francis Nungwa maintained his position in goal while Kunle Kuyinu returned to the starting line-up.
Alcatel’s resistance lasted just 11 minutes as Aliche Iheukwumere dispossessed the Alcatel defence of the ball before unlashing a canon that cannoned off the upright before nestling in the net.
Aliche then turned provider with three minutes of the first half left to be played. He collected a long ball from goalkeeper Francis Nungwa before turning it into the path of Kunle Kuyinu who then bent it beyond the reach of goalkeeper Abiola Bello for Alcatel.
With first half ending 2 – 0 MTN turned up the heat early in the 2nd half. It was Kunle Kuyinu’s turn to repay Aliche the favour. He threaded a delectable pass for Aliche to run on to and slam into the net. Aliche completed his hat trick in the 53rd minute after receiving a pass from Chigozie Emeka. After several misses, he finished this one with aplomb. Try as MTN did, they couldn’t add to the tally and that was how it ended.