Elkanemi Warriors’ U-15 team began their campaign in the 2023 Nigerian Professional Football League, NPFL Laliga U-15 Promise Youth League with an impressive win as they piped Gombe United 2-1 in the opening group match encounter.
The match played at the Remo Stars stadium in Ikenne, Ogun state lived up to expectations as both teams dominated the possessions 15 minutes into the first half.
Before the end of the half-hour, Elkanemi Warriors took the lead after Abdullahi Muhammed Bello slotted the ball
An attempt by their opponent to restore parity met the saving hands of the Elkanemi Warriors goalkeeper Ibrahim Ahmed between the sticks.
At the resumption of the second half, Elkanemi Warriors attackers became desperate to double the lead but were unable to convert their chances.
But their attempt to score another goal paid off after Elkanemi Warriors were awarded a penalty kick. Abdullahi Muhammed Bello doubled the lead as he converted the opportunity from the spot kick.
A few minutes to the end of the match, Gombe United rose to the occasion, which gifted them a penalty award after Elkanemi Warriors defender Najib Muhammed brought him down in the box 18 yards.
The contact with the Gombe United player caused the Elkanemi Warriors defender to kiss the exit door after he received a second yellow card.
Gombe United player halved the deficit after he converted the chance from the spot kick.