Having waited for two match days before making their Supalig debut, Obiaba Academy kicked off
off their campaign with a bang by defeating GT Warriors by four goals to two in what was soSo So
far, the highest scoring match of the league has been six goals scored in the match. Their victory
meant that GT Warriors became the first team in the Supalig to lose two consecutive games
consigning them to the bottom of the log.
Despite their victory, the result looked unlikely, especially in the initial stages of the game, as
Obiaba struggled to adapt to the five-a-side format, relying more on their physicality and
eleven-a-side experience to play the game. Having already experienced a match in the format
and venue, GT Warriors sometimes looked like they would earn their first victory of the
Supalig. However, throughout Obiaba’s struggles to come to grips with the game, an Obiaba
player, Okoye Ifeanyi, stood out for his stamina and determination to get the job done. It was
therefore not surprising that he would score the first goal of the match and of Obiaba’s Supalig
campaign. It was a goal considered worthy enough to win the goal of week 3, a rasping well
well-measured shot from the left flank that beat goalkeeper Ugochukwu in goal for GT Warriors. It
was one of those rare moments where a footballer is rewarded for making his luck on the
pitch of play.
But the heads of the GT players did not drop as they rallied to equalize through a defensive
mixup by Obiaba that allowed Gabriel to score the first of his brace through a penalty awarded
against Obiaba. The first half ended two goals apiece as Gabriel added his second goal and
Chimaobi scored for Obiaba, leaving the spectators highly expectant of a thrilling second half.
The expected thrill never crystallized as Obiaba took full control of the game in the second half
with buzzing central striker, Okechukwu Martins, scoring two goals, which included a superb
drive from just outside the penalty box. After their fourth goal, Obiaba resorted to a keep-the–
ball strategy to run down the clock, making it difficult for GT to regain possession of the ball,
much less mount any meaningful attack or goal scoring attempt.
