Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) FC came from the shock of conceding a penalty kick to register a deserved 2-1 victory over Niger Tornadoes in a Matchday 22 NPFL game at Kwara Sports Complex in Ilorin on Sunday.
The hosts would have feared for the worst when against the run of play, defender Ibrahim Omolayo brought down Samuel Agba in the box with just 45 seconds to the break.
The resultant penalty kick, perfectly tucked in by Abdullahi Wakili drew Niger Tornadoes level at half time but the Saraki boys rallied to that setback during the restart and dominated proceedings.
Substitute Martin Ossy did a turnaround to displace defenders Lukas Yahaya and Andrew Ikefe before jabbing home the winner to deservedly secure the three points for the homers.
The game which started with both clubs observing a minute silence in honour of the late Kwara United player Saka Abdulazeez, gave the fans a lot to cheer in Ilorin.
ABS skipper Samuel Oyedeji did well to inspire the home side with splendid passes, especially from dead-ball situations but his teammates' profligacy didn't make his hard work count in the match.
Oyedeji came up with a fantastic cross few minutes into the first stanza but none of the sea of heads was able to nod in.
Mohammed Mohammed however gave the hosts the lead when he pounced on a cross by Adesina Gata, who dribbled in through the left flank, leaving Tornadoes defence in his awake before swinging the ball for his teammate to head home.
The hosts were lucky not have conceded two goals from the boots of highly mobile Samuel Agba, who had clear chances but shot wide inside the marked area.
As Agba was found wanting in front of goal, the visitors created some good chances which Wakili also fluffed severally.
Wakili however kept a cool posture to score an equaliser for the visitors when the hosts conceded a penalty through Ibrahim Omolayo's error.
After Wakili drew Tornadoes level before the break, the visitors virtually gave up the fight during the second half, resorting to defensive play which was responsible for their loss on the day.
The Minna-based side appeared satisfied with a draw and sat back and that decision benefited ABS who dominated proceedings.
With 15 minutes left in the game, the signs were clear that ABS would leave the venue with something as Mohammed, Gata and Ossy bombarded their visitors' abode with dangerous shots but none hit target.
Ossy, who came into the match from the bench however gave the hosts a deserved victory when he jabbed in from close range in the 83rd minute as the well-fought encounter ended 2-1 in favour of ABS
With three points in the kitty, ABS are comfortable in the middle of the table but coach Henry Makinwa is not satisfied with that.
Speaking to npfl.ng after the match, Makinwa said: "The match was tough for us because of the penalty kick we conceded late in the first half. But we came back to rectify that error and I can say today's game was too difficult and it's a hard earned victory."
"Having said that, I want to declare that my team's middle class position is not okay by me, my plan is to see ABS among the top eight teams soon."
Niger Tornadoes coach Abubakar Bala, who also spoke to npfl.ng in a post-match conference blamed his team's strategy for losing the match to ABS.
"I think we were about to dominate the match when we scored the equaliser but we lost concentration in the second half. The defensive game we played in the second half virtually ruined our chances, but we have learnt our lessons from today's slip", Bala said.
Match stats ABS FC 2-1 Niger Tornadoes Shots: 12-9 Fouls: 13-11 Offside: 1-2 Yellow Card: 0-1 Corner Kicks 4-1 Red Card: 0-0 Substitution: 2-2 Penalty Kick 0-1