Omoniyi Jeremiah
Matchday 18 of the Nigeria National League, between Ekiti United and Vandrezzer from Lagos brought out the anticipated impressive performance on the path of the team as no vacuum was noticed despite the departure of former coach , Ayodeji Ayeni as coach Samson Omiponle firmly stepped into the shoes as head coach.
Timothy Akinyemi came close at goal with a sweeping header that was brilliantly parried by Vandrezzer goalkeeper about 13 minutes into the game as the host team was determined to seal another maximum points at home.
The visitors also had a begging chance to hit the back of the net of the host team but a move from the left flank at about 23rd minute agonizingly swept pass the face of goal with no one to finish off.
Anthony Silva who was the captain fantastic of the day controlled the onslaughts of Vandrezzer with some dexterity from the backline though there were some mis-kicks at the initial stage of the game.
Vandrezzer with its usual media paparazzi had its hand full as the players were at their best to keep United at bay through out the first half.
On resumption for the second half, coach Omiponle brought in the talismanic Pius Ojo (Chikodi) alongside Kamoru Adebari who both stepped in with wome more bites up front.
It took just 7 minutes into the second half for Pius to prove his rating as a super sub as he dazzled in front of Vandrezzer box before locating Taofeek Abdul who fired a goal bound low shot that was smartly handled by a Vandrezzer defender inside the vital area thereby resulting in a penalty in favor of Ekiti United.
Silva stepped up to take it and he calmly converted it to throw the technical crew into frenzy.
From the moment Vandrezzer conceded the goal, they took the fight to the host team and hungrily searched for an equalizer which never came.
It was a match of few chances from both sides but the host team was applauded for giving a good account of itself before some stakeholders who came to grace the match.
One of the stakeholders in Ekiti politics who was excited at the impressive performance of Ekiti United, Hon.Isreal Adesokan popularly known as Jaruu shortly after the match gave handsome cash rewards to the man of the match and all the Ekiti United players for the victory.
The philanthropist also promised to buy a new jersey for the team and also promised to revive the “player of the month Award” with cash reward.
Hon. Adesokan who promised to attract sponsorship and partnership through Ekiti indigenes abroad said he will give the sum of #100 thousand naira to Ekiti United players if they could win any away match henceforth till the end of the 2021 NNL season.
Ekiti United Captain, Anthony Silva described the kind gesture of Hon.Adesokan as rare and one of its kind.
Elated commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon.Micheal Awopetu thanked Hon.Adesokan for his generosity and also called other well meaning Ekiti indigenes to follow suit by supporting the state football team rather than leave its upkeep unto the state government alone.
Chairman,Ekiti State Sports Council, Mrs Olusola Osetoba and a Board Member of Ekiti United, Mr Femi Olagbemi (Iron Bender) were also on hand to cheer Ekiti United to victory.
The victory has taken Ekiti United known as the “Pride Of Ekiti” to third on the log with 27 points from 17 matches while there is still an outstanding match against Osun United in Ado .
Shooting Stars and Go Round FC are the two teams ahead of Ekiti United on the NNL Southern conference B1 table and there are hopes that Ekiti United will finish within top 5 with five more matches left in the season.
