Revealed: How ABS boss Seni Saraki boosted players' morale to beat Rangers

By Akeem Lawal 
THE Chairman of Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS FC) Ilorin, Seni Saraki played a major role in ensuring that the team ended its six games winless run with a 2-0 victory over league defending champions, Enugu Rangers in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match day 31 encounter played at the Kwara State Stadium Complex, Ilorin on Sunday, Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com can reveal.

Seni Saraki, who recently graduated from London School of Economics, United Kingdom, gave the needed boost as he splashed half a million naira (N500,000)  on the boys before the match as a morale booster, even as he urged them to go all out and defeat the almighty Rangers, which they eventually did. 

The match which attracted a large crowd of spectators and was kicked off by the special guest of honour,  Emir Of Okuta in Baruten Local Government of Kwara State, Alh. Abubakar Idris, saw Abubakar Chindo opened scoring in the 15th minute when he capitalized on Rangers' defensive mix-up to fire home the goal from the outside the 18 yard box.

ABS pegged their visitors to their half after the goal, making life difficult for the Flying Antelopes.
Rangers' Bright Silas stood out in attacker for the defending champions but the duo of Chukwuemeka Anaekwe and Ernest Governor denied the attacker breathing space.

The chairman's gesture no doubt gingered the Saraki Boys as they defended their goal desperately for most of the first half and ended it with the 1-0 lead. 

The homers restarted the game better than the visitors with Adeshina Gata's mesmerizing display which was always difficult for Rangers' captain, Okey Odita to handle.

Four minutes into the game, Martin Ossy would have doubled the lead but Pape Ousmane bravery denied the former Ifeanyi Ubah's attacker the chance with a clearance to the corner.

A well taken Samuel Oyedeji's corner kick found unmarked Wasiu Alalade to score the Saraki Boys' second goal of the day and his second of the season.
Alalade was left unmarked in the 70th minute again but only headed wide leaving the fans with their fingers in their mouth.

Speaking after the game, the coach of ABS, Henry Makinwa, said he was not under pressure because the least that could happen was to lose his job.

He said the return of Muiz Adeoti, has injected oxygen into his team and has really helped in creating chances.

"We are going to Katsina with a big believe with this win and we are going there to win.

"I'm optimistic that we are going to retain our NPFL status and as you can see, no one is safe from the number 10th position," Makinwa said.

Also speaking, the Rangers Team Manager, Amobi Ezeaku, described the game as a good one and gave credit to ABS for their brilliant  performance to earn the win.

He said his side failed to take their chances which ABS took to win the game.

Ezeaku said Rangers will continue to fight to the end of the season.