9th February, 2011
Bukola Babes’ Aminu Kadiri scored a brace to earn his team a 2-2 draw at Juth and set a seven-match unbeaten record in the Nigeria Premier League.
Alhassan Saleh’s match winner over Heartland on match day 14 had initially extended the unbeaten record to six matches and erased Warri Wolves’ and Dolphins’ five-match unbeaten run.
The nomadic team were on the verge of losing their unbeaten run after JUTH went two goals ahead in the first half, but Kadiri’s brilliance on match day completely changed the outcome of the match.
Kadiri pulled one back through an over-head kick after a great cross from Cletus Promise on 64 minutes and displayed great football technique to lash on to a rebound from close range for his second of the day with two minutes left to play in regulation time.
“We worked hard to get a draw and extend our unbeaten run. The first goal was very important as it gave us the urge to push for another goal,†Kadiri said to SuperSport.com.
The former Kwara Football Academy player said he was confident his side would share the spoils after his first goal.
“It was obvious that we would get a goal because of our performance.
“When I gave the ball to Abdulrahman Bashir, I anticipated a rebound because his shot was from close range and there was no way the goalkeeper would have been able to catch the ball properly.
“I did the follow-up and the goalkeeper actually parried the ball my way to enable me complete a great come-back,†Kadiri said.
“It shows we’ve got the ability to fight back,†he added.
Interestingly, Bukola Babes played without the trio of winger, Otu Bassey, Akeem Audu and injured first-choice goalkeeper, Aiyeyemi James.
Although the team maintained their unbeaten run, the Fade Adebayo led defence eventually conceded a goal after 484 minutes of play.
The defence had played 450 minutes through the last five matches without conceding a goal. However, goalkeeper Aiyeyemi James’ record stands since substitute Aiyeleso Suraju was in goal on match day.
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