Kano Pillars HC and Safety Shooters narrowly survived shocking results on Matchday 2 of the ongoing 2023 Ardova Handball Premier League in Benin, Edo State on Monday.
Kano Pillars with a sloppy first half start beat hosts, Bendel Dynamos 30 to 26 goals, all thanks to Chris Ogedengbe while Safety Shooters were able to escape defeat in the hands of Rima Strikers 24 to 20 goals courtesy remarkable saves from veteran goalkeeper, Baba-Ali Saidu.
In an exclusive interview with www.aclsports.com, head coach of Kano Pillars HC, Solomon Yola said: “It is not easy to come from behind, the boys gave them the confidence to play and that led us to trail behind. The players had to labour hard in order to win the game.”
Yola explained that he was not under pressure despite the unfavourable result in the first half, stressing that the game against Niger United will be a stroll in the park.
“Nothing much was going through my mind other than to concentrate and equalise the match. I instructed the boys to hold them down after closing the gap.
“The Niger United team is a hard nut to crack team but we will be ready for them. The technical crew made some good recruitment and they are playing well. I want to make it clear that Kano Pillars will up their game and victory shall be ours by the end of the day.”
Meanwhile, the goalkeeper of Safety Shooters, Baba-Ali Saidu told www.aclsports.com that he was happy to be instrumental to his side’s victory. “Denying Rima Strikers some crucial goals in the last three minutes of the game gives me great joy,” said Saidu.
“I hope to maintain this fine form when we meet bigger teams before the end of the first phase of the league.”
Result of matchday 2 at the ongoing 2023 Ardova Handball Premier League
Women –
Defenders Babes 31-26 Plateau Peacocks
Bayelsa Queens 27-47 Safety Babes
Delta Queens 23-28 Bendel Dynamos
Seasiders Babes 25-33 Rima Queens
Imo Grasshoppers 21-17 Benue Queens
Men –
Seasiders King 25-21 Confluence Stars
Niger United 29-20 Benue Buffaloes
Police Machine 31-26 Correctional Boys
Bendel Dynamos 26-30 Kano Pillars
Rima Shooters 20-24 Safety Shooters
De Defenders 18-33 TojeMarine HC
