Defending Champions, Niger Flickers on Sunday began their campaign in the 2016 National Hockey Super League in flying start trouncing Plateau Tigers 3-0 in a one-sided encounter.
The match played at the Hockey Pitch of the National Stadium, Package ‘B’ saw Yohanna Faruk, man-of-the-match, scoring all the goals for his team and grabbing a well-deserved hat-trick.
Midfielder Adamu Kolo was, however, the engine room of the team as he provided the assistance for Faruk to score all three field goals.
Coach Mohammed Isah of Niger Flickers after the match expressed confidence in the ability of his team to defend its title, and added that the team was in Abuja to make a bold statement.
“I am very delighted with this win as it is the very first win as far as this year’s edition of the Super League is concerned.
“All the other teams drew their matches, so we are topping the league table with three points as it stands,’’ he said.
Isah noted that the boys played to instruction which was key to the team’s victory.
“My team was technically and tactically the better team as we outplayed our opponents.
“We play Police Machine tomorrow and I believe the boys will still put up even a much better performance,’’ he said.
In other matches played on Sunday, Union Bank defeated Yobe Desert Rollers 3-1, while El-Kanemi Warriors were forced to a 1-1 draw by Police Machine.
Emmanuel Isibor, Team Manager of Union Bank, expressed joy after his team’s victory, noting that his team was gradually building up momentum.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Union Bank were on Saturday held to a goalless draw by Police Machine in their first game of the league campaign.
The Super league, which started on July 23, is expected to end on July 30.
NAN also reports that the winner of the Super league will represent Nigeria in the World Hockey League scheduled to hold from Sept. 7 to Sept 11 in Accra, Ghana. (NAN)