NPFL Review: Obaje's Hat-trick Humiliate Shooting Stars In Bauchi
Wikki Tourists returned from a wasteful first half to smash Shooting Stars Sport Club 4-0 in a Match Day 17 fixture of the Nigeria Professional Football League at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi.
The hosts dominated play from the kickoff but failed to hit the net as the likes of Godwin Obaje, Abubakar Lawal, Ahmed Mohammed and Hassan Hussein were all culprits in failing to score.
Obaje missed from six yards twice, hitting wide from glaring opportunities which left the supporters of Bauchi side in doubt of their intent to win against a struggling side. Hassan Hussein and Ahmed Mohammed occasionally forced Shooting Stars goalkeeper Emmanuel Fabiyi into a series of saves. Abubakar lawal then missed the best chance on 27 minutes by firing off target from close range.
It was like a boxing contest in which Wikki pinned Shooting Stars into a corner and pummelled them with punch after punch but their opponents remained on their feet.
Shooting Stars did have a rare chance when Sunday Adetunji made a jinking run dribbling past two defenders and was intercepted by Ambrose Peter. Confidence grew for the Oluyole Warriors after Adetunji's foray upfront when they almost stole the show in the 37th minute with Kabiru Umar taking advantage of Wikki's failed offside trap to go one-on-one with Sani Haliru in Wikki. But the goaltender did enough to foil Umar.
The first stanza did ended 0-0, but on return the Tourists made amends for their woeful play in attack. Godwin Obaje headed in Ahmed Mohammed's cross to raise the curtain on 61 minutes. 14 minutes later Obaje pounced on a low cross by Ibrahim Mustapha to double the lead for the Bauchi outfit.
Saidu Abdullahi complemented Obaje's effort four minutes from time to make it 3-0 while Obaje put the icing on the cake 60 seconds to full time to take home the match ball.
The win propelled Wikki Tourists to third on the NPFL table having garnered 28 points from 16 matches with an outstanding game against Enyimba. Wikki will now proceed to Akure for a midweek tie with Sunshine Stars while Shooting Stars who are in 18th position will host Abia Warriors on Wednesday.
MATCH DETAILS
WIKKI: Sani Haliru 34, Mustapha Ibrahim 4, Waziri Christopher 29, Harrison Madu 14, Abdullahi Musa 11, Ambrose Peter 6, Hassan Hussein 17, Abubakar Lawal 35, Godwin Obaje 21, Idris Sabo 26, Ahmed Mohammed 18
SUBS: Okey Egbo Ndubuisi GK 1, Festus Umanah 15, Emenike Onuoha 32, Saidu Abdullahi 8, Idris Guda Mohd 24, Ahmed Usman 27, Elum Sochima 9
SHOOTING STARS: Fabiyi Emmanuel 1, Akinyemi Oluwaseun 27, Omololu Waheed 34, James Moses 22, Osawe Alaba 17, Sodiq Suraj 13, Adetunji Sunday 9, Olukokun Najeem 14, Kabir Umar 7, Babalola Ibrahim 19, Itodo Cletus 12
SUBS: Abubakar Adamu 15, Ebiaku Promise 26, Gege Soriola 5, Lawal Muyiwa 2, Wasiu Jimoh 6, Otun Fawaz 36, Ogbonna Nonso 35
MAN OF THE MATCH: Godwin Obaje (Wikki Tourists)
VENUE: Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium Bauchi
ATTENDANCE: 7,620
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