ABS 1-1 Road Safety: We played badly, Sanni admits

By Akeem Lawal

The Head Coach of Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin FC, Tunde Sanni has described the team’s 1-1 draw against Road Safety FC of Abuja in the opening game of the 2017/2018 Bet9ja Nigeria National League (NNL) as unfortunate.

Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com reports that the game which was played at the Kwara Stadium Complex in Ilorin, saw the hosts in front in the opening 10 minutes of the game through Sunday Damian.

The Saraki Boys dominated most of the proceedings for the duration of the first stanza of the game but could not convert the opportunities created. 

Philip Edeh however leveled the score in the 67th minute to ensured that the visitors return to Abuja with a point.

Speaking after the game, Sanni said he could not explain what went wrong with his boys as they did not play in an ABS way.

"I am surprised with our display today, we were comfortable playing badly. It is as if I lost this game, the team shouldn't have survived us.

"Our technical display today was poor, some of my key players let me down, they didn't come to the party" Sanni said.

The ABS gaffer explained that some of his experienced players did not step up before the game hence the reason for the squad for match day 1.

His Road Safety counterpart, Akinade Onigbinde, said it was a tough match because the homers were a blend of experienced and young players.

"We understand that they can hold on to the ball and possessed well. I knew that they won't be able to do the same thing they did in the first half and in the second half, that is the reason we came out at them," Onigbinde said.

ABS will now travel to Kaduna to lock horns with Kada FC for match day 2 on Saturday.