Dannaz Concede Five as Real Sapphire Flies High

Real Sapphire heaped more pressure on Coach Bashiru’s Dannaz as they put five past them.

The hosts started the game in fine fashion, finding the back of the net as early as the second minute. Ayodele Olawole found space in the enemy 18-yard area after Dannaz failed to clear their lines, and sent goalkeeper Izah Paul the wrong way to open the scoring.

One quickly became two in the fifth minute as Dannaz failed to clear their lines. After a failed play-out-from-the-back move, the ball fell to Adamu Ibrahim’s feet. The midfielder, from 25 yards out, hit the ball ferociously, sending it into the top right-hand corner of the goal. Despite being two goals to the good, Real Sapphire controlled the proceedings, winning the second balls and giving Dannaz players very little room to breathe.

The hosts would get rewarded for their dominance with a third goal, which came in the 35th minute. Nine Dannaz players were in the opponent’s half when they gave the ball away. Real Sapphire capitalized on the opportunity and sent Ayodele Olawole on his merry way to get his second of the game.

At the other end of the pitch, it was Real Sapphire’s turn to concede, this time in the 40th minute. Obilezu Chinaza, having received the ball from the right-hand side, sent a low pass into the box; the kind that evaded every other player till it found Chidozie Ugwuadu who only needed a tap in to score Dannaz’s first.

The hosts started the second half with the same intensity they ended the first with. Despite failing to convert numerous chances, they got their fourth in the 80th minute via an own goal and a fifth just a minute later.

A worn-out Dannaz side were taken apart by a beautiful build-up play which saw Marco Sacramento end up with the ball and only the goalie to beat. He did justice to the situation and scored Real Sapphire’s fifth.

Their five goals were the highest any side managed over the weekend; a feat that now has them up to third place. For Dannaz, there’s plenty to think about, plenty to climb over as they remain rock-bottom on the log.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Ibrahim Adamu (Real Sapphire)

Assists? Check. Scoring goals? Check. Check. Ibrahim was central to everything that was effective for Real Sapphire in the win.