Kator extends unbeaten run with a draw away with El Meriekh
By Liam Josh
El Meriekh welcomed Kator Football Club on Wednesday afternoon, in a match that ended in a draw, a move that extended Kator’s impressive unbeaten run in the South Sudan Premier League.
Both teams trained their sight on winning, in a clash that would lift their hopes in their debut in the league. Kator, however, was the first to strike the net, scoring the opening goal in the 12th minute. Unfortunately for them, the goal was ruled out for an offside.
Goal-thirsty player, Mohammed Musa, was silenced the better part of the first half, as he was unable to register a goal.
The short-stopper of Kator, Yugusuk, was kept busy as he came to save a ball from close range, which would have resulted into a goal for El Meriekh.
Ater Thomas joined the injury list when he collided with Kator’s James Sebit.
If Kator failed to win this game, one of the players that would have faced the accusing finger would have been Sebit James, for failing to convert an open opportunity at the penalty spot, into the goal.
While the two- Kator’s Nicola and El Meriekh’s Richard Justin- coaches had high hopes of taking advantage of the second break.
However, the second half was equally low, as both teams failed to register any score, save for tightening their defense.
The second half period is very quiet as both teams are limited on chances created, as both teams tightened their defense.
Akinbinu laid a very good pass for his teammate Gaetano Masha on the 74th minutes, only for ball to go over the bar.
There was full altercation between the teams when Meriekh’s Akinbinu fouled Kator’s midfielder Emmanuel Udu in the 18-yard box.
For now, the terrain seems slippery for the match between Koriom and Jamus could dislodge the league leaders Kator off the patch, as El Meriekh’s league position will not change from their fourth placement.
The teams came to this game with so much at stake, as both would want to come back into winning ways. But the coaches of the two teams, particularly Kator’s boss Nicola Peter will have sleepless night and ask many questions, some of which include: why Sebit could not convert the spot kick to earn his side the three points, which would have sent them to up 23 points.