By Daily Sports on January 31, 2019

Edo state youth club Benin Warriors FC of Benin City have been on a playing tour to Delta state as they prepare for a number of national and international football competitions.

The tour has seen the team play against two formidable Delta state youth club sides with players gaining some useful experience along the way.

The Warriors who are past champions of the Edo state youth league played two matches in Ughelli ,and wrapped up the tour with a very thrilling 2-0 win against Nigeria National League (NNL) side Sapele Lions FC on Wednesday 30th January evening at the Sapele Township stadium in the Delta central city of Sapele.

The match, which was watched by thousands of fans, saw Benin Warriors shock Sapele Lions with two goals from super striker Osamuyi Ederayu.

Edeyaru scored his first with a header from the Warriors corner kick taken by excellent midfielder Jeremiah Salami in the 5th minute.

The Warriors displayed a firm togetherness and coordinated play, showing no fear against the division 1 outfits. Compact midfield play, quick short passing and resolute defending are qualities the Warriors have come to be known for and they were all on display in Sapele.

While Sapele Lions were piling on the pressure in the late minutes of the match, they were caught by a sucker punch as the Warriors countered through pacy winger Kelvin Ibadin. He beat his marker to the byline unselfishly squared for Edeyaru to score his second of the match and his third of the tour.

Edeyaru has been in super form and proved his worth in Delta. 

In their first match on Monday 28th January, Benin Warriors came from behind to hold Excellent FC to a 1-1 draw. It was a very thrilling encounter that saw the two teams going for each other’s jugular from the kick off.

Warriors troubled Excellent FC with their diamond midfield shape anchored by technically gifted Omeke Chucks at the base and captain Desmond Oji at the tip.

The Warriors strung together some beautiful passing moves but were unlucky in front of goal on several occasions as the Excellent goalie made some good saves to keep the scoreline scoreless at half time.

The deadlock was however broken soon after the brake by Excellent, who profited from a slip by a Warriors defence.

The ding dong continued after the goal but the Warriors attack marshalled by Edeyaru became more desperate, making quicker runs behind their opponents back line.

Edeyaru was a handful as his sheer physique and overall intelligent link up play began to tell.

Midway into the second half, it was him who equalised for Benin Warriors after a quick counter attacking move saw him receive a beautiful assist from Oji and he lobbed the ball above the hapless Excellent goalkeeper.

Despite a number of changes in the game, the intensity of the match never dropped till the ending. It was a beautiful exhibition for grassroots football.

In their second match on Wednesday morning, the Warriors submitted the lead to draw 1-1 against Ughelli All Stars FC.

It was yet another exciting affair as the Warriors piled ceaseless pressure from the kick off against their history and duly scored in the early minutes through aggressive striker Francis Odemwingie who headed from close range from a beautiful cross from the hardworking left back of the Warriors Rukewe Sagay.

The Ughelli All Stars however drew level against the run of play after pinching the ball from the Warriors midfield.

The second half saw the Warriors pike ceaseless pressure on Ughelli All Stars and striker Ederyaru thought he had scored when he shot into the net after holding off a tackle from behind from a defender but the referee unbelievably ruled that it was a free kick to the hosts.

Ughelli All Stars were hanging on the ropes as the Warriors kept coming, but they managed to hold on for a draw.

Benin Warriors coach Rex Bob said after the tour: “The tour was a successful one, considering the calibre of teams we played. The players gave their all, they played beyond our expectations having it that it was our first set of matches for the year and some of the players were still out of shape because we just resumed some two weeks back. Overall, it was a great outing and we will continue to do our best to make sure the players work harder and always give their best.”

"Photo shows Benin Warriors FC players line up before their match against Sapele Lions FC

Source Daily Sports

Posted January 31, 2019

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