By Chukwuemeka Opara
Abakaliki, May 26, 2019
Rovers Football Club of Calabar on Sunday at the Pa Ngele Oruta Stadium in Abakaliki defeated Amanda FC of Owerri 2-1 in an Aiteo Cup Round of 64 fixture.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rovers scored first in the sixth minute through Odok Bishop, while Chinagorom Onwuamamkpe equalised for Amanda FC in the 73rd minute.
Rovers FC however scored the winning goal in the 81st minute through Bishop Onyeudo in the encounter which was nearly marred by a downpour.
Later, Amanda FC’s coach, David Umunnakwe, blamed the furore on his team’s “bench” as the cause of the defeat as several officials “dished out” instructions to the players.
“Such development greatly distracted the players as this flaw majorly contributed to the team’s loss.
“I am also not satisfied with the officiating and will rate the referee and his assistants 40 per cent in performance.
“Having been eliminated from the Aiteo Cup, we will now go back to the ‘drawing board’ and plan ahead for better outings,” he said.
Coach of Rovers FC, Bob Usim, thanked God for the side’s victory and applauded his players for performing according to his instructions.
Usim said his team, formerly known as Calabar Rovers, would strive to use the competition to re-launch itself into national limelight.
“I pray that the boys continue playing to instructions in our subsequent matches as the competition will be stiffer from the round of 32 stage.
“We have noticed areas of strength and defects from the match and will consolidate on the former, while assiduously correcting the latter,” he said.
