Berger in controversial win

The mid week top of the billing engagement which however attracted a poor turnout, brought out the best from both teams in search of the three points at stake but brilliant goalkeeping from Rotimi Sunday in goal for Dolphins and Chijioke Ejiogu for Julius Berger on the other side, kept the strikers at bay while the two top coaches in the land, Fatai Amoo and Musa Abdullahi for the host and the visiting teams respectively, kept shifting nervously on their teams benches from time to time.

The first half which ended goalless saw come backing Mufutau Ibrahim wasting a brilliant one on one chance in the 15th minute for the bridge boys while the cross bar also denied the same striker five minutes later.

The second half saw the introduction of midfielder Iliasu Ishaku and winger Peter Ogbuje which paid off for Julius Berger as the same Iliasu Ishaku was brought down in what then turned out to be a heated controversy as the referees decision to award a penalty afterwards met stiff opposition from the Dolphin players and the bench alike which forced the game to be halted for about 10 minutes.

Captain of the day, Obinna Nnodim later converted the penalty kick upon resumption of play and all attempts by the Port Harcourt side to level met a brick wall.

Referee again
Coach Musa Abdullahi said the game was a good one until the referee decided to award the penalty but was full of praises for the host. “The Julius Berger team is a good one and the level of play today was very high except that our referees could be funny", he responded.

NPA in trouble
The lone goal scorer and captain, Obinna Nnodim told Nigeriasports.com that he was very happy to have decided the game and promised NPA hell on Sunday. “I am thankful to God for the victory and this must be a warning signals to NPA ahead the game on Sunday", he said.

Julius Berger is expected to take a trip to Lagos to confront NPA in a rescheduled week 2 cracker on Sunday at the Onikan stadium.

Report by Opatola Adewole in Abeokuta