Abia Comets had to settle for a single point on the road after a brutal last-second equalizer from Sunshine Stars. The match, a Nigerian National League fixture in the Southern Conference A group, finished 1-1 at the Ondo State Sports Stadium in Akure. The Comets’ manager Dipreye Teibowei talked up his squad’s grit after the final whistle, but seeing a win slip away that late had to sting. Usman Garba finally broke the deadlock for the visiting side with a powerful long-range shot, only for the home team to answer back deep into stoppage time against goalkeeper Moses Akam.
Nothing happened in the first half. Both teams failed to convert their chances, heading into the break with a blank scoreboard. The second half saw more action, with Abia Comets pressing forward. Maduka Okechukwu forced a save from the Sunshine keeper around the fifty-five-minute mark. Teammate Martins Cletus got another big opportunity later, getting past a defender only to be denied again by the same goalie.
It looked like Garba’s rocket from outside the penalty area would be the winner, coming with just about ten minutes left in regular time. The Comets’ defense and keeper Moses Akam held firm through most of the added time, but the home side finally found the net in the absolute final minute, splitting the points.
Nothing happened in the first half. Both teams failed to convert their chances, heading into the break with a blank scoreboard. The second half saw more action, with Abia Comets pressing forward. Maduka Okechukwu forced a save from the Sunshine keeper around the fifty-five-minute mark. Teammate Martins Cletus got another big opportunity later, getting past a defender only to be denied again by the same goalie.
It looked like Garba’s rocket from outside the penalty area would be the winner, coming with just about ten minutes left in regular time. The Comets’ defense and keeper Moses Akam held firm through most of the added time, but the home side finally found the net in the absolute final minute, splitting the points.
