Jewels Football Academy, Ohanze ended what has been a grueling week in style as they played host to visiting Pro Stars FC of Aba in a friendly duel, sinking their visitors with an unreplied 2-0 victory, thanks to a second half own goal and an 88th minute powerful header from the highly-rated central defender Jonadab Nwakamma.
Jewels Football Academy sustained an early momentum offensively to dictate proceedings as the visitors struggled to muster a foothold in a first half that was literally lopsided, the host with a couple of efforts on goal, seeking for an early opener, but some strings of goalkeeping heroics from the opposition goalkeeper saved the blushes of the visiting Ngwa Road based outfit.
The home side were not deterred by the bravery of the visiting team’s goalkeeper as they threw all they had, in search of a first half goal, and the chance finally came midway into the first half from the spotkick. Lively forward Chiedozie being pegged down by an opposition defender inside the box after a display of individual brilliance, and the referee hurriedly pointed to the spot, leaving Jewel Academy with an opportunity to break the deadlock. But a wayward penalty shot by midfielder Kingsley was expertly parried to safety by the impressive goalkeeper, leaving the scoreline barren going into halftime.
Jewels Academy determined not to succumb to that first half penalty miss came back stronger in the second half, as they pushed for that seemingly elusive opener, and it was not long before breakthrough came. Dazzling winger, Spencer found space on the right flank, outpaced an opposition defender and intelligently sent a low cross inside the box only for Chimaobi Elijah to unwittingly fluff the ball inside his own net, which gifted the home side the lead.
The goal gave the Chinedu Obasi Okezie led charges the stability and vigour to occasionaly push for more goals, as they held on to possession while their opponents were literally chasing shadows, and in the 88th minute, Jonadab Nwakamma rose high to direct Ifeanyi Eze’s cornerkick into the net to seal victory for the Ohanze based outfit.
Daniel had the chance to make it 3 after rounding off two opositon defenders, but his effort on goal agonizingly went wide for a goal kick. The centre referee finally brought the game to an end, leaving Jewels Football Academy with a 2-0 victory.
In his post match comment, coach Chinedu Obasi Okezie attributed the victory to determination and show of class from his lads: “Our visitors threw all they had coming after us but we showed character; we had the right attitude going forward, though we had couple of chances that were not converted, but from a general point of view the boys gave a good account of themselves today, I’m elated”.
Next up for Jewels Football Academy is a camping tour in Uyo, where a host of high profiled friendlies with both NPFL and NNL sides are on the cards.