Imperial in Brilliant Fightback to Hold Sporting in Six-goal Thriller

Imperial staged a comeback to force a 3-3 draw against Sporting Lagos at the Remo Stars stadium, Ikenne on Saturday evening.

It did not take long for the game to burst to life as the league’s top scorer Adio Ojora fired the league leaders Sporting into the lead in the opening minute of the game. Meanwhile, the lead lasted barely three minutes as Ezekiel Samuel scored his fourth league goal in two games to restore parity for the home side.

It became a ding-dong affair between the two enterprising sides and it didn’t come as a surprise when Sporting got their second goal. It was well worked on the flanks before a teasing cross was headed home by Kazeem Ibrahim in the 37th minute.

Just minutes after the break, forward Chukwuma Emma was shown two yellow cards in quick succession as the game took a dramatic turn. However, it was the Lagosians who went on to increase their lead through Godspower Akekoromowei in the 65th minute. Just three minutes later, substitute Bilyaminu Abdullahi scored from his own half to reduce the deficit for Adedeji Ayeoba’s side.

With eleven minutes left to play, Imperial’s late pressure paid off as they were awarded a penalty. The October player of the month – Abdullahi – stepped up and dragged his side level once again.

Despite being a man down, Sporting went in search of all three points and when they scored what could have been the winner late on, the goal was ruled out for offside.

In the end, it was a share of the spoils between the top sides in the TCC League on match week 7.

CAUTION

Imperial

Omingbona Saidi 5’

Kenneth Sesugh 30’

Chidera Ezeno 72’

Sporting Lagos

Adio Ojora 33’

Chukwuma Emma 45’/(second yellow)49’

Adebayo Yusuf 70’

MAN OF THE MATCH

Bilyaminu Abdullahi (Imperial)

The midfielder turned the game on its head singlehandedly. He scored a goal-of-the-season contender, before composing himself to level from the spot late in the game.