NHF Super League: Union Bank humble Yobe in opener
Union Bank Hockey club of Lagos humbled arch-rivals Yobe Desert Rollers 3 – 1 to amass the maximum three points in their opening game of the 2017 Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF) Super League.
The game played on the astro turf of the Package B, Abuja National Stadium as the star match saw the Eko Bankers record superiority over the Rollers having defeated them 2-0 last year.
The Coach Tunde Odedeku-tutored side went into the game determined to humble their opponents and had their efforts paid off in the first quarter when they netted the opener.
Efforts by the Rollers to cancel the deficit were thwarted leading to their collapse to the superior fireworks of their conquerors in the second and fourth quarters when they conceded two more goals but however, scored a consolation.
Coach Odedekun attributed his club’s victory to hard work and discipline.
“We played well as you can see. We have always beaten Yobe Desert Rollers. Last year we defeated them 2-0 in the opening game. The only team we lost to was Niger Flickers, the eventual winners, but this time around we are here to win the trophy,” he said.
Reacting, Coach Paris of Desert Rollers said his side lost due to fatigue as they arrived Abuja few hours before the game.
He also said that first game has always been problematic to his team, but noted that they have put the defeat behind them because they are in Abuja to reclaim the title they have been winning in the past.
“We were fatigued after a long journey. We just arrived few hours before this game, though it is not an excuse. My assurance to our fans is that we are here to reclaim the league trophy,” he stated.
In other Day 1 results, Police Machine stunned IGP Flickers by 6-2 while Kada Stars defeated RIV Kings by 1-0.
In Day 2 results, Kada Stars played a 2-2 draw with Police Machine; IGP Flickers lost 0-4 to Niger Flickers and RIV Kings played a 2-2 draw with Union Bank.
In Day 3 results, Niger Flickers whitewashed RIV Kings by 4-0, while Union Bank drew 2-2 with Kada Stars.
In the Day 1 results of the Women’s League, Benue Amazon pipped IGP Babes 1-0; Heartland lost 0-2 to Yobe Desert Queens while Kada Queens defeated Plateau Queens by 1-0.
In Day 2 results, IGP Babes lost 0-1 to Heartland; Yobe Desert Queens also lost 1-2 to Kada Queens while, Plateau Queens defeated RIV Queens by 2-0.
In Day 3 results, Heartland Flickers drew 0-0 with RIV Queens; Benue Amazon played out a 0-0 draw with Plateau Queens, while IGP Babes lost 0-2 to Yobe Desert Queens.
