Stephen Dunmoye
It was an exciting moment on Sunday afternoon as Ekiti United defeated Ebedei FC in the Nigeria National League match week 3.
The match which was played at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ekiti, saw the Ado boys taking away three points as they beat Ebedei 3-0.
The first goal of the match came in the 29th minute when one of the newly signed players, Sodiq Ibrahim flicked the ball into the net with a header after a freekick to put Ekiti United in a good stead towards a victorious outing.
The first half had ended 1 nil but the fans led by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Tola Faseluka wanted more goals in view of the 3 nil defeat suffered in the previous encounter against Madiba FC of Lagos.
Second half began with high hopes of more goals, though some scoring chances were thrown away by the hosts especially at about 70 minutes when a penalty was awarded to Ekiti United but the man who facilitated the penalty, Wadulu also lost it to keep the match at 1 nil.
What would have been the second goal was cancelled by the referee after he ruled that FC Ebedei goalkeeper was impeded.
Tension was high and the thirst for more goals became intense as the Supporters Club kept drumming , fans kept hailing and even the State Pastor of Winners Chapel, Pastor Olaofe Olarewaju and his men from the church who came to give moral support were optimistic of at least 3 goals in favour of Ekiti United.
Sodiq Ibrahim later in the game scored two more goals to record the first hat trick of the season for Ekiti United as the stadium went into frenzy amidst celebration.
The hat trick hero who was named the Man of the Match became the toast of the spectators who came out in their numbers to take photographs with him.
The chairman Board of Trustees of Ekiti State All Stars International, chief Olu Oloworemo while addressing the players after the match promised financial rewards for the State Team for all victories at home and away.
Chief Oloworemo who handed over instant cash reward to the team for the first league victory of the season said goverment alone could not finance sports which he described as capital intensive.
Elated Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development thanked Chief Olu Oloworemo for his philanthropic gesture and urged other well meaning individuals and corporate bodies to complement government’s efforts towards developing sports.
In the same vein, Lanre Ajayi, based in the UK has fulfilled his promise of #10k per goal for the team as the cash reward of #30k for the 3 goals scored on Sunday will be handed over by the Team Manager, Adu Adedeji later today.
Other football enthusiasts like Hon. Isreal Adesokan a.k.a Ja ruu has also been quite supportive financially since the beginning of the NNL season 2023.
Similarly, the State Pastor of Winners Chapel, Pastor Olaofe Olarewaju who watched the match till the end described sports a tool to evangelize saying the bible encourages sporting activities with a view to attaining wellness and friendliness in the society.
While promising to galvanize support for Ekiti United through the church, the cleric who addressed Ekiti United players at half time and prophesied a 3 nil victory said the players, coaches and management should give their lives to God and avoid indulgence in voodoo.
With the 3 nil victory on match day three of the NNL 2023, the coach Kehinde Anjorin tutored Ekiti United have come back to reckoning after losing their first match against Madiba FC of Lagos.
In another weekend match in the NNL Southern Conference B3 where Ekiti United are playing, Madiba FC of Lagos were forced to a 1-1 draw at home by Abeokuta Stormers.
There may however be no time for Ekiti United players to waste before stepping unto the pitch for another match as the team will on Tuesday face FC Ebedei in the final of the State Federation Cup at the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti starting from 2pm.
