HATTRICK HERO, SHAFF MAKES THE DIFFERENCE IN THE JCI-UCJ FRIENDLY MATCH

By Gift Nwaozor


Sharafdeen aka African-Chinese netted a second half hattrick to make the difference in JCI’s thumping of UCJ on Saturday 09, November 2019. The match which took place at Awo stadium started around 8:30 with 30minutes given for both halves.
The match started out with both sides full of energy and taking up chances at both sides. However in spite of the chances created, the first half ended goalless.
Few minutes into the second half, Shaff (as he is popularly called) who just came on at the beginning of the second half showed JCI what they have been missing by beating the newly introduced goalkeeper from close range in what appears like an offside. Simultaneously, Bajer, as he is fondly called added a second to increase the pressure on UCJ.
However UCJ responded well with a new attacking flow that saw them half the deficit through their newly introduced 11. Pressure mounts on as UCJ searches for an equalizer desperately thence leaving their weak defenses porous. JCI capitalized on this gaffe with two quick fire goals from Shaff.
The first, his second of the match was coolly slotted home from close range and minutes later he completed his hattrick after beating the offside trap of UCJ to reach the end of an incisive pass from Raji Abdullah, rounded up the on rushing UCJ goalkeeper and slot home with his left.
While the scoreline might have ended in favour of the host, who undoubtedly have better players, the players from UCJ have promised to bounce back, making the likelihood of a return leg feasible.

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