NIJ DRAWS COC 3-3 AS ALABI SCORES LATE

By Olaleye Boluwatife

The Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) has made a 3-3 draw against The Redeemed Christian Church of God (City of Champions) on Saturday as Tobi Alabi scored late in the second half.

Tobi, an ND students of the institute late goal inspired a lot of noise and celebration among the NIJ supporters all around the football field after a very intense and breath-taking effort to secured the goals.

However, RCCG (City of Champions) played as the away team but they showed no sign of being coward as they started on the front foot and took the lead courtesy of a goal from Daniel, COC’s midfielder.

With Tayo Akinnagbe and Shina Omolola playing up front for NIJ, it was obvious NIJ would not go down without a fight as they pushed hard for an equalizer. The talented Tayo did not seem to stop as he continued to wow spectators with his impressive skill and pace and eventually, NIJ’s pressure on COC paid off as they equalized with the help of an own goal.

NIJ continued to play at their top level and minutes later, Sam Paul put NIJ in front after he tapped the ball into the net from close range. 2-1 in favour of the home team.

NIJ went into the break with the upper hand but COC came back for the second half with a lot of zeal and fire power.

They took control of the field from NIJ and it was no surprise when COC’s striker, Seun a.k.a. short man Babaginda equalized by heading the ball into the net from a corner kick cross.

An own goal from NIJ gave them the lead again for the second time in the match.

However, COC should have gone two goals up if not for a one-on-one Seun missed when he came up against NIJ’s goal keeper, Oladeji Ayomide.

 COC dropped deep leaving a desperate NIJ team to take control again and possession-wise, attacking-wise, NIJ was on top so much that they did little of defending.

NIJ changed tactics as defender, Tobi Alabi was pushed forward to support the attack.

In the end, the tactical change proved to be a wise move as Alabi rose high above everyone to head in a last-gasp equalizer to make sure that NIJ would not lose to visitors, COC on home ground.