Balanga LGA team have cruised to the last eight of the 6th Adamu Yola Gombe South Unity Cup after they eliminated debutants, Dong United 3-1 in the fourth Round of 16 encounter played at the Billiri Township Stadium on Saturday evening.
Balanga LGA team started the game with a high intensity with Mandela Qunce’s first thunderous shot that went wide been the first of many they fired in the first 10 minutes.
Dong United too were not without their own chances which they failed to convert as a result of what their manager described as lack of confidence from his strikers.
“Our players as you can see created chances but low confidence from our strikers cost us the game, we would have scored two to three goals but luck was not on our side,” Dong United coach pointed out.
However, it was Balanga LGA Team who broke the deadlock in the 27th minute when Baruwa Joshua collected a passed from Aliyu Abdullahi and beautifully curled it into the roof of the net.
The goal seemed to have fueled Balanga LGA team players to go In search of more goals as they poured forward to hunt for more goals.
They were firing shots from all corners as they held Dong United hostage in their own half but they were able to repel the insurgency from Balanga LGA Team to ensure they were only a goal down as they went for halftime break.
It took Balanga LGA just two minutes after the break to extend their lead when Mandela Qunce fires in a screamer from 25yards out to beat the goalie.
Immediately after Dong United passed the ball, Balanga LGA players picked the ball and in a similar fashion but this time around almost 30 yards out, Haris Harish Haruna whipped in a thunderbolt to send his team 3-0 up.
Idris Musa converted a spot kick for a consolation goal for Dong United.
After the game, Balanga LGA gaffer, Idris Sani Mohammed, expressed gratitude to God and his satisfaction with the level of performance of his players as they played according to his instructions
“We thank God for the victory and I am pleased with how my players were almost perfect on the pitch today. Though there were still some mistakes but we’ll correct such going into the next game.” Mohammed noted.
In a similar vein, captain of Balanga LGA Danjuma Ibrahim was happy with his team’s performance and the win also.
“I am happy that we won and for our next opponent, we have been following their games for long and God’s willing we are confident of beating them and advance to the semifinals,” Ibrahim explained.
Games continue today, Sunday December 19th with Samba Boys facing Dinge Flying Bees in the early kickoff while Balanga United, who are the defending champions, tackle Shembe United later on.
