It was a strong start in the Nationwide League Super 8 play-off at the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos. The trio of Mailantarki Care FC, Madiba FC, and Police Baretta earned maximum points on Matchday One of this tournament.
Fans enjoyed a thrilling encounter between Mailantarki Care FC and FC Ebedie, a contest that saw two three goals.
Mailantarki Care led by two goals before halftime.
It took the FCT-based team 26 minutes to break down the Oliseh Boys’ defense after Auwal Abba took advantage of a faulty defending to score his team’s opener.
Abdulazeez Maiyadi doubled the lead for Mailantarki Care with three minutes remaining in the half, following another awful defending.
Odekunle Musliu’s powerful header in the 74th minute gave FC Ebedei a chance to save the match, but it was too late to earn a point.
In the game between Danburam and Madiba FC, both goalkeepers put in fine performances as the first half ended goalless.
Adeyemi Mayowa of Madiba FC would have scored the game’s opening goal, but Ibrahim Danjuma of the opposition was up to the task and diverted the attempt away for a corner kick.
In the 70th minute, Solomon Aliyu opened the scoring for Madiba FC, slotting his effort past Danjuma.
In the 80th minute, JNR Danburam had a chance to tie the game, but Madiba goalkeeper Mohammed Tijani made a spectacular save to keep Jamilu Yusuf from doing so.
In another encounter, Police Baretta battled fiercely to defeat Aspire FC and get three points.
The Nigeria Police football team left it late as Bidemi Owuku’s lone goal in the 89th minute was crucial.
10-man Smart City FC played out a one-all draw with Kun Khalifa after the Lagos-based team gave up a penalty in the second half.
Jeleel Lateef found himself in the area in the 20th minute and, following a defensive error, struck his shot beyond Kun Khalifa goalkeeper Tochi Njemanze to give Smart City the lead.
Ridwan Omotosho received his marching order in the 44th minute for an unnecessary challenge on a Kun Khalifa FC Player.
The Referee pointed to the spot in the 72nd minute after a Smart City defender handled the ball in the box.
Daniel Nwaogu made no mistakes from the spot to tie the game.
