By Jahrock Ujewe
Warri Wolves began their campaign in the 2019/2020 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, season with a 1 – 1 draw with Akwa United on Sunday, November 3 at the Warri City Stadium, as the Seasiders maintained their unbeaten run against the Promise Keepers.
Warri Wolves went ahead in the 2nd minutes of the encounter, when Amadi Samuel hit the ball into the net after receiving a brilliant cross fromVictory Omodiagbe from the left flank.
That goal not only created excitement and belief among the home supporters, but was celebrated nationally on Matchday 1 of the campaign as the first and quickest goal of the season.
The lead did not last as league sweet merchant, Mfon Udoh, poked in the equalizer from close range in 28th minutes to the utter dismay of the home fans.
The encounter, however, did not produce any further goal after this point, as the decent chances to score were far and in between in both ends of the pitch.
Speaking after clash, technical adviser of Warri Wolves, Evans Ogenyi, was not particularly happy with his side for wasting some scoring efforts that could have secured victory against Akwa United.
“We wasted some opportunities,” Ogenyi stated.
“The first league game is full of ups and downs. I have congratulated my colleague already. Yesterday, I spoke to a press guy and I told him a match of the magnitude can go either side.”
“We prepared so well to pick three points. But every match poses certain problems that must be corrected in time. The team is still gelling and we work on all grey areas before the next games.”
The former Lobi Stars coach assured that the team would play better in the next game, dismissing any insinuation of the side was being put under pressure.
Reacting too, Akwa United’s John Obuh said they wanted to win the tie, though they knew Warri Wolves would be difficult to crack, saying that they were happy to have savaged a point from the game.
He rated Warri Wolves highly.
“Warri Wolves are just coming back to the NPFL,” Obuh stated. “I see them staying in the top flight. They’ve been a big name. Anybody that is coming to play in the club is not coming in to play for a side that just gained promotion.”
“They are coming in to play for the Warri Wolves that have dominated premiership. That would go for them. Every player sees himself as that Warri Wolves. That would work for them always.”
With this result, the Seasiders have stretched their five-game unbeaten run against the Uyo club to six games now.
Wolves will play away on November 10, 2019 against Sunshine Stars on Matchday 2.
