First-timers in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), Bukola Babes, put up a spirited fight-back in the second half to end the hopes of Jos University Teaching Hospital, Juth’s hope of grabbing a second win this season.
Juth’s Ghanaian striker, James Amankwei, opened the score for his side and his chip over Bukola Babes’ goalkeeper, Suraj Ayeleso, was turned into his own net by Promise James to give ‘De-Healers’ a two-goal.
But it was Kadiri Aminu that got two goals to ensure that Bukola Babes extend their unbeaten run to six straight games this season.
Bukola Babes started this game without four key players – goalkeeper James Aiyeyemi (with a knee injury), Effiom Otu-Bassey (suspended) and the duo of Akeem Audu and Ismaila Gata, both excused for their school exams.
It was Juth that got off the blocks fastest and inside 10 minutes created half chances with Amankwei, Kabiru Umar and Victor Yakubu all over the backline of Bukola Babes.
On 16 minutes, Amankwei was close to giving Juth the lead from Bright Silas’ cross but he flicked it wide.
Two minutes later, Amankwei was involved again. A low cross from Silas but the Ghanaian and Yakubu failed to connect, as the ball sailed across Bukola Babes’ goal.
At this time, the Babes were still struggling to knit their usual passes together in the middle though got their first real chance on 27 minutes when Aminu’s effort on goal from James’ cross was blocked for a corner kick.
On 34 minutes, Silas’ cross was converted by Amankwei, who was left free inside Bukola Babes’ goal area to nod away to hand Juth the lead.
Suddenly, ‘De-Healers’ sprang to life with confidence oozing in the side and within four minutes, Juth were two goals up.
Amankwei was freed into the box after a through pass and his chip over onrushing Ayeleso was turned into his own goal by Bukola Babes’ captain on the day, James.
Inside six minutes of the restart, Bukola Babes’ head coach, Festus Allen, made two quick substitutions by introducing Abubakar Yahaya and Vincent Ogar.
But it did not stop Amankwei from causing Bukola Babes’ defence all sorts of trouble though left-back Abubakar Yusuf’s coiling shot nearly dipped into the top right hand corner of Juth’s goal but keeper Fidelis Eze tipped it away.
Just close to the hour mark, Amankwei collided into James and was substituted on 64 minutes for Chinedu Onyelonu.
Somehow the Ghanaian’s exit due to injury saw Bukola Babes assume control of the game and inside two minutes of his departure, Aminu scored the first of his two goals.
The Bukola Babes’ striker received James’ deflected cross and wastes no time by finishing superbly with a spectacular overhead kick to stun Juth.
With 13 minutes left, Allen makes a tactical change pulling off Abubakar, who spent just half an hour as a substitute himself and Juth head coach, Tunde Abdulrahman, surprisingly sent on Danjuma Abdullahi for Umar, who clearly was the attacking spark for his side in the absence of injured Amankwei.
Juth, however, paid dearly on 88 minutes for failing to close down an interchange of passes by Bukola Babes in front of their goal area, as Aminu scored from less than six yards into an empty post after Eze punched Abdulrahman Bashir’s cross into his path.
And few seconds later, Onyelonu almost grabbed the winner after he was freed with his sight at goal but his shot went just inches wide to the relief of Bukola Babes.
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