Ace Mariners FC head coach Fasasi Waheed Kolawole could not hide his disappointment after his team surrendered a commanding two-goal lead to draw 2-2 against Unification FC in their Ikeja Super League fixture.
The game began perfectly for the Mariners as they raced to an early lead with two quick goals. The opening stages promised a convincing victory, with the team creating multiple scoring opportunities that could have put the match out of reach before the interval.
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However, despite their dominance, wastefulness in front of goal proved costly. “At least we should have made it four in the first half,” Coach Kolawole admitted. “We failed to convert our chances and that gave our opponents a way back into the game.”
The turning point came early in the second half when Ace Mariners were reduced to ten men following a second yellow card shown to Adekunle Oluwashina. The dismissal shifted the momentum in favour of Unification FC, who capitalised on the numerical advantage to score twice and level the game.
Kolawole was visibly frustrated with the referee’s decision. “In honesty, I didn’t see that as a foul, let alone a second yellow,” he said. “Both players went for the ball. My player only used his hand to block, not to strike. I think it was a big mistake from the referee.”
Despite the setback, the coach acknowledged the commitment of both teams throughout the 90 minutes, calling it “a good game from start to finish”, but admitted his side must improve. “We have to be more clinical and maintain discipline so we can close out matches like this,” he concluded.
The draw leaves Ace Mariners FC ruing missed opportunities and controversial officiating decisions, as they turn their focus to their next league outing.
