Africano FC Coach Micheal Onaolapo Rues Missed Chances In Draw Against Collin Edwins
By Akeem Busari
Africano FC on Wednesday, had its real baptism of fire in the group stage of the ongoing 1X Community Football Cup, being played at the Inspire Sports Arena, Oshodi, Lagos.
Africano FC who qualified for this stage of the competition with convincing wins in the preliminary rounds, entered the match against a more experienced and physical Collin Edwins FC, full of confidence and displaying its beautiful and fluid playing style.
Collins Edwin came into the match determined to do better than previous editions, but Africano FC proved equal to the task and were unfazed as first timers in the tournament. The game grew into a flurry of attacks by Africano FC, fondly called the ‘Brazilian Boys’ as they saw a couple of goal bound shots hit the cross bar.
The second half was better with increased intensity and tempo and what with mercurial midfielder and captain of Africano FC, Gabriel Ogunji, in full command of the play. And one of his characteristic defence splitting passes set up Basit Agoro for Africano’s goal.
Collin Edwins came back from their slumber and got the equaliser off a well connected header. And it ended that way, as both sides shared the spoils.
Speaking after the match, the youthful head coach of Africano FC, Michael Onaolapo, lamented the several scoring chances missed by his boys in the first half of the match.
“It was a very good game between both sides. I believe we’d have won the match if my boys had converted all the chances we created, particularly in the first half.
Going forward, we shall do better in subsequent matches, as we work towards picking a ticket for the quater-finals,” he said confidently.
