Anas Yusuf latched on a pass from Abubakar Aliyu, made a run to the left side before scoring from a very tight angle in the 64th minute
By Emma Ogbuehi
Substitute Anas Yusuf made the difference, scoring a significant goal to seal a 2-1 win for Wikki Tourist over Plateau United on MatchDay 8 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) played in Bauchi on Sunday.
The visitors had taken the lead just after 20 minutes from a free kick following a foul by Fuad Ekelojuoti on Alex Aghahowa. Haggai Kato had stepped up for the free kick and his effort struck the woodwork. The rebound saw Salisu Adamu inadvertently tapping the ball into his own net.
Four minutes later Fuad made amend for conceding the avoidable free kick. The midfielder ended an attack with a great strike.
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The visitors dominated the midfield with Sunday Anthony having all the time to express himself but the home defence was water tight.
Three minutes into the second half, Coach Kabir Dogo brought in Chigoziem and Anas Yusuf. The duo brought life to their side with Chigoziem’s first contribution a side netting.
Wikki then took control with the visitors forced to stay home with many men including forward Mohammed Zulkiflu.
The dominance turned to goal four minutes over the hour mark, after Abubakar Aliyu found Anas Yusuf who made a run to the left side before scoring from a very tight angle.
The midfielder would later admit that his intention was to cross the ball. ”Though I am used to scoring this type of goal in the past, the intention this time was to cross but I was lucky to see it inside the net”
The visitors almost levelled with few minutes to end when Zulkiflu jumped highest and nodded in a Daniel Itodo throw. Wikki goalkeeper, Galadima was forced to stretch and put it out for a corner.
Sale Ibrahim who had a quite game ended the action with a superb strike which brought out a fine save from Plateau’s Panshak Silas.
The win is Wikki’s second in a row after their win at Dakkata and they will hope to continue the fine run when they host Nasarawa United in the next match day.