By: Ilekam Ikechukwu (Flakes)
Jewel football academy welcomed Habinga fc today 15th oct 2021 in what was a journey to forget by the visitors in a friendly contest as they fell woefully to a 7-1 demolition, thanks to a hattrick by debutant striker Benjamin, a brace from European bound Ekene Ubani and a goal apiece from midfielder Emmanuel Nwigwe and Gangling forward Gospel.
Roared on by a handful of home supporters at the main bowl of the community secondary school ohanze, the host attacked from the blast of the whistle almost had an early breakthrough in the 7″ min, debutant central defender Donald Friday’s headed goal-bound effort off junior okechukwu’s cornerkick timely cleared off the line by an opposition defender, averting what could have been an early scathe for the visitors.
Habinga fc weakened by their host’s dominance and chastened by a 5-o annihilation on their last visit were content to defend and attempted to strike on the counter on the 9″ min as tricky forward Emmanuel Joshua riggled his way inside jewel box but a timely coverage from goalkeeper ifeanyi scuttled his intentions.
The hosts pedalled on their dominance and deservedly got a 32″ min lead with an exquisite through ball from another debutant attacker Akwa being speedily met by midfielder Emmanuel Nwigwe who placed his effort beyond the reach of Habinga’s goal tender for the game’s opener.
The hosts utilised a 43″ min opportunity to increase their lead before halftime, winger Chiedozie Amos with a moment of brilliance down the left flank leaving gangling forward Gospel with a clever tap-in as Jewels went 2 nil up in the first half.
The home team broke through early in the second halfwith a 58″ min headed goal by Ekene Ubani, thanks to a great lofted delivery from Junior Okechukwu. And the game seized to be a contest in the 64″ min when debutant forward Benjamin muscled his way in between two defenders to glide the ball past an already dejected goalkeeper for the visitors.
Ekene Ubani got his brace midway into the 2nd half and had Chiedozie Amos to thank after a magical moment from the latter as the hosts went 5 nil up.
The visitors rarely threatened for a response and had their woes gruesomely compounded in the 75″ min when bulky forward Benjamin got his second and the sixth for Jewels FA, the visitors subsequently got a mere consolation from the spot-kick by the workaholic Emmanuel Joshua but thei joy was immediately shortlived by the Goal friendly Benjamin who completed his maiden hattrick with an intelligent finish, inflicting a painful scar on the minds of the visiting Habinga FC as the centre Referee brought the game to a climax with Benjamin inevitably walking home with the match-day ball.
Speaking to Jewels media, coach Prince Chidozie of Habinga FC lavished praises on the fitness level of the host team citing that as the catalyst to the mauling his boys suffered in ohanze. In his post match reactions, Head coach of Jewels football academy coach Akuma Joe attributed the victory to hardwork and consistency stressing that the goals would have been more had the centre referee extended the time.
Next up for Jewels Football Academy is an ambitious journey to the famous Aba township stadium on the 16th of October to keep a date with Enyimba FC.