Jeremiah Omoniyi
In the sunny atmosphere condition of Saturday, Eksu Galaticos locked horns with Wonder Exchange during the Aiteo’s cup qualifiers knock-out game at the Oluyemi Kayode stadium in Ado-Ekiti.
Before the match began, a minute silent was observed for Late coach Adeniyi Oliver who died last Tuesday at his residence after complaining of chest pain. Coach Oliver, until his death was the deputy director of sport at the Ekiti state university Ado-Ekiti. The University boys used black band in honour of the late sport chief.
The Match kicked off at 3:30 pm, Eksu Galacticos began in a balanced style winning possessions in the early 5min.
The game changed afterwards, Haruna Yusuf received a through ball and power an amazing shot to Galacticos’ goalkeeper Ogungbade Ayotomiwa to put Wonderxchange in an early lead with the side first shot on target.
Eksu Galaticos maintained full momentum and energy despite conceding in the early minutes of the match until Rasheed Opeyemi scored a sensational penalty after a horrible tackle was done in the box eighteen by Wonder Exchange defender.
Eksu Galacticos continued with there possessive style of play in the 32nd minutes with Olayiwola Tobi David’s brilliant free-kick brought the university boys to a first half lead.
Wonder Exchange striker driving the ball through a counter-attack was prevented by Eksu’s last man Akinwale Akintunji which resulted to a straight red due to the defender’s rough tackle on Wonder Exchange attacker Ameachi.
Eksu Galacticos introduced two fresh players to filled the gap that was widely open due to the defender that was sent out in the first-half.
The university boys continued in a fine form, winning the possession but was deprived of a penalty after an hilarious foul done by Wonder exchange defender at the penalty spot.
Wonder exchange continued to create goalscoring chances that was prevented by Ogungbade but was able to leveled the score in the 77th minutes Ibitayo Blessing’s header.
Wonder Exchange struggled hard to penetrate using the advantage, but Eksu Galacticos maintain their feet in a defensive style and it ended 2:2.
The match proceeded to a penalty shootout, while Wonder Exchanger score two and miss three, Eksu Galacticos were able to score 4 and lose one while Ayotomiwa of Eksu Galacticos saved two penalties, the match ended 4:2
According to Blessing, Captain of Wonder exchange, he lamented that ” we are not prepared and five of our key player were absent due to the June 12 national protest “
Captain of Eksu Galacticos Rasheed Opeyemi started that “we tried our possible best, though luck was on our side; it is not easy to be a man down at first half but we won and that’s football”.
Eksu Galacticos proceeds to the next round and will be playing Choice fc today (Sunday) by 3pm.
