By Ime Bassey

A lackluster performance by Crown FC of Ogbomoshoand El kanemi Warriors Maidugiri in the second encounter of the on going round of 16 group matches of the Federations of at the Agege Township Stadium ended goalless.

Both teams came out of the dogout with high expectations from the fans but could not show any spark in the first 45 minutes. In the second half, Adeyemi Adeyeye’s freekick from twenty yards was saved by Itodo Ikor in the 54th minute causing the Agege fans to cheer a little.

The entire Crown FC bench challenge the referee and the fourth official midway into the second half when their cry for a penalty was not given following an infringement on its striker inside the eighteen
yard box.

In the postmatch conference, El Kanemi Warriors coach Kelechi Emeteole opined that the game was a good one, hoping to change the tide against Kano Pillars on Friday.

“The game was good but we will approach Kano Pillars in our own way. I am particularly happy with the officiating, it is good that the NFF brought in quality referees like these,” Emeteole said.

On his part, Crown FC assistant coach, Daniel Ogunmodede blamed the officiating for his team’s performance.

“The officiating was very bad and i don’t think this is good for the competition. We had a better play overall but the questionable calls by the referee made my players to switch off when they are meant to
fight for the ball,” coach Ogunmodede said.