Warri Wolves dented Wikki Tourists’ bid to escape the relegation waters with a 1 – 0 win on Matchday 35 of the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, on Sunday.
The Seasiders were more business minded as they engaged in several midfield duels in the early exchanges within the first ten minutes.
In the 14 minutes against the run of play, Emmanuel Ihezuo poked home an Uche Ihuarulam’s cross from the left flank.
The home team thought they should be given a penalty, when Williams Sunday was brought down on his way to pounce inside the vital area.
The verdict was no penalty and play on, to the utter disappointment of the home team.
The Warri Wolves midfield trio of Daniel Ijeh, Michael Okoyoh and Emmanuel Ihezuo were impressively on their toes and constantly put pressure on the Wikki Tourists midfielders when they were with the ball in the middle of the park.
However, in the 35 minutes, Wikki Tourists had an opportunity.
Emmanuel Aboyi chased a cross from the left flank and almost headed in the equalizer after the ball had gone past the Warri Wolves’ defence line and goalkeeper Pwadadi Bulus, who was flat footed.
Five minutes later, Warri Wolves had their own chance to make it 2 – 0.
Uche Ihuarulam powerfully curled the ball goalbound after leaving his marker to grasp for air behind.
Ospino Egbe stood his ground and dived very low to force a save.
The first period eventually finished 1 – 0, with Warri Wolves having the advantage.
The second half of the encounter witnessed more high intensity.
In the 55 minutes, Warri Wolves’ enterprising winger, Obata Paul, hit a Wisdom Jumbo cross from the right flank against the woodwork.
Ihuarulam followed the rebound and struck the ball, but he was flagged offside.
Twenty minutes later, Wikki Tourists were awarded a freekick few meters away from the edge of the Warri Wolves box.
Substitute Sale Ibrahim stepped and delivered a very wayward free kick for Wikki.
Another opportunity came again for the visitors in the 78th minutes.
Promise Ademola skipped dribbled Okokeji Chiemeka and hit ball directly at goal, forcing Bulus in goal for Warri Wolves to make a low dive save.
During the three minutes added time, Warri Wolves were dramatically denied a clear cut penalty.
Obata was cruising home with only Ospino to beat in a one on one situation.
But he was brought down by the goalkeeper, who hacked the winger down with his legs.
The central referee pass a no penalty verdict painfully, in spite of the outcry by players and officials of the home team.
At the blast of the full-time whistle, the Seasiders claimed all maximum points and a 1 – 0 over the visiting Kaura Boys of Bauchi.
Warri Wolves will play Jigawa Golden Stars, who lost 3 – 0 against Rivers United on the road, in a make-or-mar Matchday 36 fixture at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna on Wednesday.
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