Following a last gasp screamer by Sanni Jamiu of Gateway Utd., which condemned Osun Utd to another away loss, Giant’s Head Coach has told his lads to forget the defeat and move on.

Osun Utd chased away glory to MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta and were nearly escaped with a hard fought spoils, save for a screamer turned in by nearly exhausted homers.

Believe and Achieve side laboured for most part of first stanza as Osun based side struggled to contain the firepower of the host. After enduring some opening heat, the host registered their first goal from the spot as Aleem Adebayo our stand in captain was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box.

Coach Baruwa tutored side would later picked themselves up in the second half and fought tenaciously. The host were forced to repel after few changes from away bench. Habeeb Owolabi restored parity five minutes from time, with a well planted glancing header off an assist from Quozeem who succeeded in taking up his marker from byline, that’s his second of the season.

However, the joy couldn’t last long as the home side were infront once again via a screamer, after playing more additional minutes.

While speaking to the press, Baruwa Olatunji implored his charges to forget the agony of defeat and focus more on the task ahead.

“In a normal setting, we supposed to have mustered something from this game but it’s the way it is.

“We are not blaming anyone despite notable awkward calls from arbiters who arrived match venue an hour late. We assume it’s just their day. Ours is to rest and concentrate on the task ahead.

“We want to make our fans happy and return to winning way, l congratulate our charges and they should take away the positives from the game.” The Nigeria National U-15 goal keeper’s coach noted.

Osun United shall welcome Benin Arsenal to OAU Sports Complex on Saturday 19th of March by 4pm. A win over Bendel lnsurance will fire Believe and Achieve side to the top of Group B1.

Mr Soleye, who was speaking with Radio Nigeria in Abeokuta, said the governor had continued to pay salaries of the players as and when due.

The Gateway United acting general manager noted that the objective of taking the team to the next level required the concerted contributions of stakeholders in the state.

Meanwhile, Gateway United Football Club defeated Ibom Youth FC one nil in a mid-week fixture of the Nigeria National League played at the MKO International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta.

Oluwole Johnson scored from the spot to give the Ogun State owned football team the deserved victory against the Ibom Youth.

In a post match interview, Coach Akeem Busari of Gateway United Football Club told journalists that his players would continue to improve game by game.

Gateway United will slug it out with One Rocket FC at the training pitch of Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Saturday in week seven fixture of the league.

Olusegun Folarin

Gateway United FC got the better of Apex Krane FC, 2-0 in an NNL matchday four fixture played at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Kuto Abeokuta.

Goals from Haruna Salifu and Aderemi Yusuf were enough for the Hakeem Busari led side to record another win at home making it two wins in two on home soil for the season.

Gateway United got on the front foot early in the game. Odusina Sunkanmi got the first shot on target just as Dada Kayode took aim from range but saw his effort went agonisingly wide.

Another chance came for the home side in the 20th minute, this time from a set piece situation as goalkeeper saved Seyi Okeowo’s effort from 22 yards out.

There was a big moment for Gateway United when what looked like a penalty appeal for a foul on Olasunkanmi Odunsina in the area was given as a free kick by the referee. 

The opener would however come in the 28th minute when Haruna Salifu tucked home Seyi Okeowo’s well weighted in freekick from the left.

It appeared that goal annoyed the visitor’s technical bench as they made their first change when goalkeeper Reuben made way for Pibovei.

There was a lifeline for Apex Krane in the 37th  minute when the referee adjudged a handball in the area to give the away team a penalty.

Ibukun Araromi however dived to his right to make a big save as the score line remained 1-0 to the host.

Bakare Fatai also had a chance of his own when he cut into his right foot from the left and sent a curler in which the goalkeeper saved.

Gateway United kept dictating play as they got in their mood when Oronsaye James wriggled his way past two players and directed a defence splitting pass to Odusina Sunkanmi who couldn’t just hit the target as they first half ended 1-0 to the host.

The second half resumed with Apex Krane FC directing the tempo of play but Gateway Utd soon regained possession when Hakeem Busari ringed three changes as Ogunleye Sulaimon, Bakare Fatai and Haruna Salifu were all subbed out for Aderemi Yusuf, Nurudeen Araromi and Sadiq Rilwan.

In the 70th minute, Another chance went begging for the Ogun State outfit as Aderemi Yusuf tried to lob the goalkeeper but his effort went wide.

Another moment came for the referee when it appeared the goalkeeper of Apex Krane, Pibovei handled the ball outside the box but the ref waved play on after checking through the goalkeeper’s positioning.

Gateway Utd kept pressing and they were duly rewarded their second goal with 6mins left of normal time to play.

Olasunkanmi calmly controlled the ball, found Aderemi Yusuf in space, he kept his composure to cut into his right and slot into the back of the net. A goal from the training pitch, that!

There would be no further scare from Apex Krane as Gateway United saw out the win in their second home game of the season and have now amassed 7pts from a possible 9pts inside their last three matches.

Up next for the Hakeem Busari led team would be an Ogun State Derby when they face Remo Stars in Ikenne in an NNL matchweek 5 meeting.

Moses Ojewumi
Media Officer, Gateway United FC