By JUDE AGBEYEKE.
An eighty seventh minute strike by Odafe Onyemaechi was all Sporting Football Club of Lagos needed to pick a win against FC One Rocket of Eket in the opening match of the Southern Conference in the NNL Super Eight playoff taking place at the Steven Keshi International Stadium Asaba.
The Lagos based outfit scored the goal during a goal mouth scramble after near misses by a couple of Sporting FC players before Onyemaechi tapped in the loose ball to settle matters.
Both sides had missed some glaring chances in the tension soaked encounter but resilient defending from both defences kept the scores decent.
The Coach of Sporting FC, Paul Offor while congratulating his side for picking an all important win urged the players not to loose focus saying it was too early to jubilate asserting that they must get the job done in their second game.
Former National team player and Coach of FC One Rocket of Eket, Coach Ndubuisi Ndah while rueing his sides missed chances and assured that the lapses noticed would be corrected.
The former international said his teams failure to score was due to injury to some of his key players but averred that the team would be better in their next match as they still the opportunity of gaining promotion.
FC One Rocket will next face Heartland of Owerri while Sporting FC Lagos tackles Stormers Sports Club of Abeokuta.
In the Northern Conference Kano Pillars who won their opening match by a lone goal against EFCC FC of Abuja will next clash with DMD who lost two – one to Katsina United. Katsina United meets EFCC FC of Abuja in the other group match. All the matches would be played tomorrow with the first match between Katsina United and EFCC kicking off at nine in the morning.
