The Higher National Diploma (HND) 2 team of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) defeated the part-timers 2-1 in a tough encounter of the monotechnic’s 2023/2024 students’ league on Friday.
The tie which was played in the school field witnessed both teams go at loggerheads from the blast of the referee’s whistle.
HND 2 team, with the sobriquet Frontiers Football Club, though not with so much intensity but they were able to contain their rival nicknamed the Knights – and it was a balanced contest for most part of the first-half.
However, few minutes before the half-time break, Daniel Udoka popularly known as Icey created something from the right flank of the attack, opening up space to send a cross to Olaoluwa AbdulAzeez (Flaco), who latched onto the ball to render the goalkeeper helpless, thereby giving HND 2 the lead.
Consequently, the Frontiers Football Club went into the break with a goal advantage as the referee blew for the end of first period.
It was a much improved display from both teams in the second half – with the part-timers looking for an equalizer and HND 2 exploring ways to increase the lead.
Meanwhile, Mubarak, who was on top of his game, sprung up with a special moment to beat Sunday Adeola for an equalizer.
HND 2 left it a bit late but they were able to make something out of a ‘counter attack’ when Flaco struck for his second (brace) from outside the box, thus 2-1 in favour of his side.
Attempts to rally back didn’t come to fruition for the part-timers, in fact, they were shown a red card when the referee sent Emmanuel Rasheed off for a foul on Yunus Abdulwarith Bryant.
Rasheed contested the referee’s decision, a moment that delayed action and escalated into a ‘fracas’.
Though, the match resumed some minutes later – and the final year students were able to manage the crunch battle to win 2-1 after full-time whistle.
The result takes HND 2 to second on the standings with three points, tied on same points with league leaders, HND 1, while the part-time team sits fifth on the log.
Recall that the part-timers defeated HND 1, now HND 2 (3-2) last session to become champions of the league.
Speaking to ThelensNG after the encounter, Flaco, who was unplayable said: “Being able to score brace to help the team feels very good, we played very well in the game and it is a collective team effort that made us achieve result like this against strong opponent like the part time students. We still have a lot of games to play, we just beat the favorite to win the competition, that’s something to hold on to and we’ll keep working hard.”
Similarly, Rasheed expressed his displeasure after the game saying: “It was a foul but it should not have been a red card. That was harsh from the referee and I believe he was trying to make up for what happened in last session’s final.”
Captain of the part-time team, Adekanola Adeniyi also shared his thoughts, disclosing that the referee was biased.
His words: “The officiating was poor, biased and sentimental, I won’t say more than that. It has always been a tussle anytime we play HND and I don’t understand why their classmates who were not playing had to rush onto the field of play to protest. It is a situation that needs to be looked into.”
In the same vein, the Sports Director at NIJ and captain of HND 2, Richard Avonda heaped praises on his teammates and condemned the outburst of the part-timers after the red card.
He said: “My teammates were awesome, everyone filled up their spaces on the field of play and the strikers were Incredible. We had a strong team spirit and we were relentless. However, they have been fined for failing to abide by the rules of the referee.”
Avonda also revealed that they must pay for the fine and write an apology letter before they can play their next game.
“They must provide a ball and pay the amount required for the red and yellow cards they received. They must also write an apology letter to the sport directors in general.”
