By Akila Matawal
FC ONE Rockets’ quest to grab a third win this Nigeria National League (NNL) season was on Saturday evening repelled by a dogged Ottasolo side at the training pitch of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium as the encounter ended 0-0.
The home side started on the front foot and saw Joshua John’s distant attempt missed in the seventh minute, while Paschal Onunze hit the side netting in the eleventh minute, in between Udoh Akpan’s save a minute earlier to deny the visitors.
Joshua John, Tosin Olabode, Abang Emmanuel, Abel Abba, Israel Consul and Ugochukwu Obiri also had attempts in the 13th, 20th, 25th, 27th, 29th and 42nd minutes, but all were either saved by Adamu Zikiru in goal for Ottasolo or went off target as both sides headed into the break with the scores even.
On resumption for the second period, Kuku Kingsley and Ayuba Francis replaced Abel Abba and Israel Consul for Emmanuel King’s side to add some bite to the attack.
Kuku’s shot in the 60th minute was off target and could not trouble Ottasolo while Zikiru again proved vital with saves in the 71st and 77th minutes to deny substitutes Maclyn Biokpo and Joshua John respectively.
Missed chances in the final 10 minutes, twice by Ayuba Francis, Ugochukwu Obiri, Kuku Kingsley and Abang Emmanuel, whose free kick was saved, ensured the game ended goalless in a frustrating evening for ONE Rockets as Ottasolo celebrated their away point.
It is now two wins and two draws from four home games this season for Rockets who next travel to Lagos for a date with Sporting Lagos FC on Saturday.