Ebuka Lazarus scored the match winning goal, in the 88th minute, with a delightful free kick, as Abia Comets FC secured a vital 1-0 home victory over Abeokuta Stormers, in a 2023/24 Nigeria National League (NNL) Matchday 17 encounter, on Saturday, April 6, 2024
The clash which was played at the Umuahia Township Stadium, saw the Umuahia based club starting the game on the back foot with more of the ball possession in the opening 30 minutes.
It was a clear dominance by Comets with open goal scoring opportunities coming in form left and right, when top scorer, Jonah James went on a brilliant individual movement but his low strike went behind the crossbar for a goal kick to signal the end of a goalless first half.
In the second half, it was different as positive moves started to show for the hosts, when the likes of Emeka Maduka and Oscar Nwimo were brought on before the restart of the game.
However, Comets continued to spread on for a goal with just eight minutes left to play in the game, but it was a different relieve after Ebuka struck home a delightful free kick, which left the visitors goalkeeper in a no man’s land situation to put Comets 1-0 ahead.
The Aba-born forward’s third league goal of the season, was all Comets needed to secure a vital victory, in front of the home crowd, at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
With the victory, Abia Comets FC extended its historic unbeaten streak to twelve (12) matches and moves further in the Southern Conference Group A standing on 27 points, tied with Edel FC in the third position.
Comets will be on the road next Saturday, in a Matchday 18 encounter, to take on Coal City FC, in an Oriental Derby, at the UNEC Stadium, Enugu.
