Source: isports360.com | December 18, 2018
The curtains were brought down on match day three with two entertaining games. Spectators were treated to the most exciting day so far both off and on the field of play pertaining to the ACCC 2018.
Kada Stars and Niger Flickers once again the losing sides after defeats to Eastern Company and El-Sharkia respectively.
With the Exchequers, GRA game postponed, the day witnessed two games in the male category. Kada Stars who are yet to earn even a point at the ACCC played host to former ACCC champions, Eastern company.
Four minutes inside the game and Eastern Company were up. An ifringement on Elnaggar inside the scoring circle attracted a penalty corner and Aboutaleb Mahmoud converted to give Eastern the lead. The lead was increased minutes later through Yassin Mohamed who added a personal second and Eastern’s third on the 10th minute mark.
A quick response from Kada brought back the tempo and competitiveness of the game. A Kelvin Linus double within two minutes gave Kada a lifeline. The second quarter started with Kada looking more dangerous creating so many chances but failing to capitalize on it.
‘We should have kept our composure on the field after getting both goals but the zeal to get an equaliser let us down and we conceded the fourth. The early goals also made us a bit unsettled but we still managed to get into the game ‘, Abdullahi Ndana told isports360 after the game.
Just when Kada though they were back into the game, Aboutaleb grabbed his brace from a fast break and great team play. The fifth was added on the 23rd minute courtesy Elnaggar Ahmed.
John Pete managed to get his name on the scoresheet with a third goal for Kada Stars but that was all time could permit as the Nigerian league champions succumbed to their third loss in three games.
The second game was similar to the first in terms of origin of clubs and the game’s competitiveness as well as the idea of a comeback which wasn’t so.
Niger Flickers who had also lost their first two games engaged El-Sharkia in an attempt to revenge for fellow country club, Kada Stars . Two minutes on the clock and El-Sharkia were infront; Similar to that of Eastern – Flickers match, the opener from a penalty corner but this time was from the stick of Ali Hamada.
Ahmed Gamal made it 2-0 in the 11th minute but Shanwilu Muazu’s 24th minute strike restored the hopes and confidence of Niger Flickers. Two penalty corners in succession and the Flickers thought they had equalized but Tosin’s double effort first going wide and the second straight at the goalkeeper who parried it away. It was the turn of Sharkia from a penalty corner and the defending champions restored their two-goal lead through Edres Mohamed.
Ahmed Gamal scored again in the final quarter to put the game beyond Flickers’ reach. However a 55th minute penalty stroke converted by Kolo Adamu meant the final 5 minutes was decisive. Niger Flickers pushed all men upfront in search of a third and possibly the equaliser but all efforts fruitless.
“We played so well but yet again failed to utilize our chances and penalty corners. We came back into the game after going down by two goals and allowed them to score two more goals. Our penalty corner conversion rate has been poor and that has been the main reason why we lost all three games”, Isah Mohammed in an interview with isports360 after the game.
MATCH DAY THREE RESULTS
Eastern Company 5 – 3 Kada Stars
El-Sharkia 4 – 2 Niger Flickers
