Nigerian Balotelli breaks the heart of Nembe City

In a rescheduled NPFL week two fixture decided at the pitch of the Krisdera hotel stadium, home team Nembe City were held to a 1-1 by Warri Wolves.

Nembe City, the last of the two expelled teams to be recalled back into the fold of the NPFL by the League Management Company, took the lead in the ninth minute when Musa Newman's left wing cross was deflected into the net by Warri Wolves' Goodluck Onamado.

After the lead Nembe City's safe pair of hands Kola Awe was booked for dissent in the 27 minutes as Warri Wolves piled on the pressure in a bid to force an equaliser.

After being frustrated severely by the backline of Nembe City Josiah Madabuchi of Warri Wolves was cautioned in the 33rd minute after a verbal tirade at one of the officials, and despite two minutes of time added after the first 45 minutes, Nembe City hung on to their one nil lead into the half time.

Ten minutes after the restart Josiah Madabuchi was replaced by Austin Amutu who immediately made an impact forcing a goal line clearance from Nembe's Anthony Michael five minutes after his introduction, as Warri Wolves pushed for an equaliser.

In the 63rd minute like a bolt from the blue, Warri Wolves Gbolahan Salami, who had been having an average game by his standard, released a scorching left-foot volley from 25 yards that caught goal keeper Kola Awe unaware, and sailed into the net.

Warri Wolves clearly became the better team after Salami's wonder strike as Nembe City sat back to contain them, and despite being the home team they should be the satisfied partly after the draw, as Warri Wolves could have snatched all three points on the balance of their second half display.