Coal Camp FC of Enugu on Saturday came from behind to hold Maryland FC of Enugu to a 1-1 draw at the ongoing group stage of the Coal City Football Tournament in Enugu.

At the match played inside the stadium of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), Arinze Ogbodo open scoring for Maryland in the 14th minute.

At half time, it was 1-0 in favour of Maryland, as Coal Camp’s late surge yielded no goal.

However, Coal Camp restored parity through Francis Chimezie in the 76th minute.

Maryland Coach Amechi Okeke praised the two teams for a good game but said that he expected a win from his team.

“I was expecting a win from my team, especially when we were 1-0 up into the interval but we could not hold on till the final whistle.

“The game has come and gone and the god of soccer has decided it so. I am happy with the draw,” he said.

The coach said that their opponent’s goal came from a free-kick which was nobody’s fault.

“I am looking forward to winning our last group stage match against Obiagu FC so that we can go through to the knockout stage,” Mr Okeke said.

Chukwunonso Abana, the Coal Camp team’s coordinator, said that the match lived up to its expectation but would not have been difficult for his team if it had not conceded first.

“We conceded early because we did not start the match well but grew into it, but in all, it was a good result for us.

“My team would have won the match but we now have to get the needed three points against Uwani FC in the last group stage match.

“All the teams in our group have been playing a draw. It seems like the final group stage matches will decide the teams that go into the knockout stage,” he said.

The ongoing Coal City Football League, which is in its second edition, will end on December 19. 

The league is organised by GOFEC Movies Industry Ltd., in conjunction with Zenith Bank of Nigeria, Enugu State Football Association and the Ministry of Youths and Sports.

The league, also known as Neighbourhood Football Tournament (Boolu Ogbe), had its first edition in 2020 with Emene United emerging winners.

(NAN)