Warri Wolves Beat Ibom Youths in NNL Opener

Warri Wolves got their campaign in the 2018/2019 Nigeria National League (NNL), to a flying start with a 2 - 1 home win over Ibom Youths FC of Uyo.

The tie, which witnessed less dramatic instances in the early exchanges, saw the two teams trying to use the first half to size up one another.

However, the game came alive in the second stanza after Warri Wolves scored the first goal of the encounter through winger Erhire Felix within the opening five minutes of the half.

That solitary advantage did not last for long, as Ibom Youths whipped in an equalizer from a set piece situation twenty-five minutes later.

The Seasiders had their winning goal deep into added time, when substitute, Charles Atshimene, in his authoritative best rifled the ball inside the visitors' net.

Speaking after the game, Warri Wolves' head coach, Tajudeen Lamidi, said the league is a marathon and called for focus from his players.

He described Ibom Youths as a good side, noting that his side deserved to get the three points at stake after working hard to break the visitors' resolve.

"This season, the league is like a marathon," said coach Tajudeen Lamidi. "We need to stay focus to win tough games like this one against Ibom Youths."

"I commend my players for doing that against them. They are a difficult team to play."

"They are a good team," he added. "They defended very well. But we worked very hard to win the game. We deserve to win."

Warri Wolves will play their next league game against Crown FC of Ogbomosho away in a about two weeks' time.

Prior to that fixture, the Seasiders will kick off their campaign in Round two of the DFA Cup/State Aiteo Cup against the winners of the tie between AG FC and T Akoma FC on Monday, April 15.