The Flying Eagles started the game on a promising note as they took early control of proceedings in the opening minutes, with a neat display of passing and a fair control of possession, coupled with a few individual moments of brilliance.
However the John Obuh coached side failed to sustain the momentum, as they soon lost outright control of the game to ABS FC, who have been widely touted as one of the most entertaining teams in the Nigeria Premier League.
On the resumption of the second half, ABS got an even firmer control of the game with their Arsenal-like brand of football which was well appreciated by the fans.
However, even with their display of aesthetic prowess, the NPL campaigners were undone by their lack of decisiveness and killer-instinct which meant that they were unable to make that final touch in front of goal, thus rendering the likes of their top scorer Abdulrahman Bashir and Aminu Kadir ineffective.
After the game, coach Obuh accepted that they were still some grey areas in his team but promised to work them before the African Youth Championship qualifier coming up against Tanzania in Dar-es-Salaam on July 28.
Former England international and ex-Wimbledon skipper John Fashanu, who was present at the stadium in Ilorin, lauded the performance of both teams but gave credit to ABS.
"ABS I can see are a great team, they've got good players, they play like Barca, when they get the ball they don't wanna give it away, they knock the ball and knock the ball which is great.
"But remember they are a state team and we are looking at a National team and if you want the truth i believe ABS were better," he noted.
Uche George
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