Novelty Match: Buratai’s team, Actors Guild side played draw in ‘explosive encounter’
As part of activities marking the 2019 ‘Nigerian Army Day Celebration’, a novelty match between the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai football team and the Actors Guild of Nigerian team, yesterday ended in a stalemated 2-2 draw.
The match which was played at the Ikeja Cantonment football field, in Lagos.
The game’s curtain raiser, was scored by the Army’s Chief of Training and Operation, Major General Lamidi Adeosun, after receiving a ‘clever’ through pass from a senior officer, in the first half.
However, Mr. Steve Eboh, restored pride for the Actors Guild’s side, after he equalized in the dying seconds of the first half.
Upon the resumption of second half, Major General Malu, skillfully dribbled the defenders of Actors Guild to score his team’s second goal, which sent the spectators into wild frenzy.
But the Army’s side celebration was short-lived as one of the Actors Guild’s striker team broke through the central defence of the COAS’ team, before firing a rocket into the net from outside the penalty box, to restore parity for his team, in the 60th minute.
The Centre Referee eventually blew the final whistle at the end of 90 minutes to end the game 2-2.
Lt. Gen. Buratai, represented by the Chief of Army Standard and Evaluation (CASE ), Major General A. O. Shodunke, congratulated both teams for upholding the spirit of ‘fair play’ all through the duration of the match.
He said the novelty match is part of the ways the Nigerian Army (NA) is seeking to maintain excellent civil military relations with other Nigerians.
It would be recalled that the Actors Guild of Nigerian, last Month, paid a courtesy call to the COAS at the Army Headquarters, in Abuja, and requested for a novelty match, which Buratai instantly approved.
Highpoint of the event was the presentation of trophies to both teams and players who performed outstandingly well during the game.
The event was graced by top military officers, members of the Actors Guild, captains of industries, military personnel families and well-wishers.
By PRNigeria
