The journey in the 2022 Nation-Wide League One, NLO season for Zenith Emperor FC began in a murky water as the Lagos based club suffered a straight three matches lost. The first match was against Iganmu FC an arch-rival that lost to the club, 2-1 during the last season in Ogun state but over turned the table by winning with the same result, 2-1 at their adopted home ground- Legacy Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.
After the lost, the boys again could not secure an away win against an arch-rival, Gbagada Fc who they played in the opening match 2-2 draw during last season in Ogun state but their host, in this season won 2-0, leaving their opponent to wonder how to turn the table.
The buildup to the third match against Magic Stars was lit with hope owing to the team being the host in their adopted home ground, Nitel Stadium in Oshodi, Lagos, but, alas! It happened like magic when the visitors compounded the woes, winning their host 2-1. This kept the club wondering on how to taste their first victory.
On the log of 8 clubs, at it stood then, ZEFC sat at the bottom on zero point while Robo FC ahead with goal conceded differences were ahead. Then matchday 4 was between the two of them as the Osahon’s boys came visiting. After much exchanges of football artistries, against the run of play, the visitor stunned their host as their player found the back of the net.
It all seemed cold and also becoming the usual for ZEFC but in a twist of fate, ZEFC’s sleek winger Christain Eno got an equalizer before the end of the first half to raise the hope for his side. Also in the second half, the Akwa-Ibom indigene mustered strength to achieve a comeback for his side after he got a brace.
He threw his side into jubilation after been starved for victory. The match ended 2-1, thanks to Christain and the debut goal keeper Segun whose palms were busy behind the stick to salvage the needed maximum points. The boys smiled home with a #10,000 cash prize from their coach Victor.
Then the fifth match of the season was against the log leaders- Smart City. Riding on the strength of their last victory against Robo FC, ZEFC boys pulled their sword to dismantle their host at the Teslim Balogun Stadium but their host were smart to outsmart them 3-1, leaving their visitors on the seventh position on the log.
Match day 6 was against Messiah FC, Tobi Oguniyi- a former ZEFC’s player who ply his trade for Messiah Fc fired the ball into the net to give his the lead but coach Victor boys did not threw in the towel as they got an equalizer through Christain Edu after which pacy winger Festus Omolade punished their visitor after he ran after a long cross from his team mate Patrick Mboma to slot in the ball past his opponent goal keeper. This was the second victory with six points.
After the victory against, modicum of hope has been established going to the last of the season against Synergy FC. The match which was played at the adopted home ground of ZEFC witnessed the club to be the first to take the lead after a beautiful coordinated passes from behind masterminded by the captain Damilola Faleye to Lateef who had a one touch to Festus Omolade who ran a defender, dribbled the other and confidently powered a close range shot to the roof of the net.
But Synergy Fc synergized their strength to level the score which later finished 1-1.
After the match, the league’s organizer banned all clubs using NItel stadium from playing on that pitch owing to what it described in the letter as poor management of the stadium. Also, the league went on break and would resume on 31st May 2022.
Dotun Omisakin
Media Officer,
Zenith Emperor Football Club.