By Ilekam Ikechukwu
It was not the best of results coach Bala Mohammmed would have envisaged losing narrowly 1-0 in Umuahia to Abia Warriors FC on matchday 5 of the 2022/2023 abridged Nigeria Premier Football League, but a certain Charles Okafor left some positives for Coach Bala Mohammed to build upon as the season rages.
The central defender having started all 4 of their previous matches for Niger Tornadoes this season expectedly got a starting nod alongside team’s captain Sunday Akinmoladun but the brilliance of Charles Okafor was visibly seen couple of times in the tightly contested duel.
The hosts took the game to their visitors with barage of pressure play and came close to opening the scoring in the 25th minute, only for a disciplined Okafor to clear a loose ball from goalkeeper George Michael inside the penalty area to safety, an opportunity for the hosts to have drawn the first blood.
In the 32nd minute, the erstwhile Akwa united centre back interrupted a goal bound opportunity when young striker Peter John had chested down for Bello Lukman to Shoot from close range but the presence of Charles Okafor proved crucial yet again for the Ikon Allah Boys as he expertly cleared.
Upon resumption of the second stanza, the calmly headed central defender consolidated on his first half impressive showings to block a Peter John’s shot midway into the second half to deny the former Ottasolo goal poacher from having his name registered on the score sheet. His vigilance on the young striker having kept him in check seemingly influenced his substitution by coach Erasmus Onuh.
The central defender curtailed couple of counter attacking football from the hosts notably averting an intentional low cross by Emmanuel Onu for a cornerkick in the closing stages of the game to keep the scoreline respectable.
They might have lost narrowly to their hosts no thanks to Bello Lukman’s first half strike separating the two sides, but the future appears promising for coach Bala Mohammmed as far as his backline is concerned thanks to the presence of Charles Okafor. Having won the NPFL with Akwa United in the 20/21 Season, most certainly his experience will surely count for the North central based outfit as they jostle for the much coveted end of the season super 6 slot.