Victory in Bauchi: The Tonic For Resurgence

There have been many stories of events and their perfect timing. We could not have asked for a better time than this–for this victory–in Bauchi. It came so refreshing like the morning dew.

Coming off that exhilarating Oriental Derby, the boys were obviously tired but the next game must be played. So, they set forth to Bauchi where Lobi now calls home. We had given a lot in the past four games, but did not get the results we desired and so we hoped to turn the table in Bauchi even though it seemed less likely to onlookers.

Eguma made some changes to the starting eleven, showing that the team is gradually getting depth. Obichere Odinaka started at right back, Prince Ikemdinachi made his second start away from home and our new boy, Issa Mohammed made his debut. It was good to see Ekene Awazie back to the lineup, Ufere Chinedu starting again and Innocent Gabriel moving back to his center back position while Fatai Abdullahi played in midfield. It was indeed a tactical change.

Ifeanyi Ihemekwele gave us the winner. Remarkably, he has scored the winners in our only two away wins of the season–against Heartland in Owerri and now against Lobi Stars in Bauchi.

This is just what the team needs, that victory which would turn things around. Having worked so hard for three weeks now and being on the road for most of this time, the team needs a reward for their sojourn from city to city and this victory is just perfect.

We are in the second round of the marathon and we will continue to push for a spot at the top. After the final whistle, the team felt like a burden has been carried from them. This victory gets the fans believing again. The comments from the fans after the win have been encouraging.

Up next for us is another trip to Uyo. The game against Akwa United would be our fifth away game in six games. We have taken all three points in Bauchi, hopefully we will also take three in Uyo, a place we recently called home in the CAF Confederation Cup.