By Okechukwu Okechukwu
Anambra Club, Solution FC began their adventure in the second tier of Nigerian club football, the Nigeria National League (NNL) 2023-24 season with a win against Lagos based side Tradesafe FC.
The Solution Boys left it late as they scored in injury time through Chinedu Ozobialu's belter in the second minute of added time to ensure the new team take all the points available in the frenetic contest played on Saturday, 18th November 2023 at the Awka City Stadium.
Chinedu Nwabueze in goal for Solution FC was first tested in the 12th minute of the encounter as he responded with a brilliant save to deny Odeyemi Bolaji's well struck effort off a pass from Adam Adeleke in a team swift counter attacking play. Solution FC should have had the led in the 22nd minute after Etop Ekong missed a sitter off a rebound from Tradesafe shotstopper Hazan Ismail which he palmed out from David Emmanuel's rocket.
In the second period, David Emmanuel scored from a close range finish inside six yards in the 52nd minute which was adjudged to be offside positional play by the Assistant referee after a brilliant team play. Substitute Chinedu Ozobialu's headed effort ricocheted off the upright from a corner kick in the 60th minute while David Emmanuel should have done better with a good opportunity after being teed by substitute Charles Egbe in the 72nd minute of the game.
The Solution Boys made amends as Chinedu Ozobialu came to the rescue at stoppage time with a belter to secure all the available three points in the game.
Reacting after the match, Head Coach of Solution FC, Uche Okagbue described the result as well deserved as the boys had barely being together for just four months after the formation of the club. The former Remo Stars, FC Ifeanyi Ubah and Sporting Lagos gaffer also said the team will work on some vital areas to get better for their next match.
"Am happy that we started on a good note with a win against our opponents. The club is barely four months old after her formation and the boys have not had much time to play together and bond as a unit while it's also important to state that I have been with the team for about a week now before this match.
"We take positives from the game and there are areas that we have noted that we will definitely work on to get the unit in the right shape for subsequent games. We give all the glory to God for the victory today," Okagbue said.
Solution FC will next face Warri Wolves in NNL 2023/24 match day two fixture billed for Saturday, 25th November 2023 at Kwale Township Stadium, Delta State.