Rovers FC draw Abia Comets in pre-season friendly

By Kelvin Obambon

Ahead of it opening match in the Nigeria National League season, Rovers Football Club, Calabar, on Tuesday, held fellow second-tier side, Abia Comets to a 1-1 draw in a friendly encounter at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

First half of the game started off on a promising note due to one or two early chances created by Rovers. These chances, however, were not converted into goals, as the first half ended goalless.

49th minute into second half, Abia Comets had their goal through Kayode Agboola, who capitalized on a minor defect in Rovers' backline. The visitors' joy was short-lived as a leveller came the way of Rovers in the 50th minute after Cosmos Eberemu completed a series of passes that menaced the opponent's defense.

The remaining minutes of the second half saw both teams struggling to have the upper hand. As pressure piled up, the game slowly switched into a mid-field battle which dragged on until the final whistle.

Rovers' friendly with Abia Comets may be the last in series of engagements preparatory to Sunday's away fixture with Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, which marks the commencement of the 2020/2021 NNL season.

Meanwhile, in a post match interview, Rovers' Technical Adviser, Samson Unuanel, explained that the friendly game was to assess the team's strategy when playing away.

He said "It was a match we really tested our away format in the first half, since we didn't have the opportunity of playing away. There are different patterns of game - you play home, you play away. In the second half of the game we came out with our home format. So far so good, you saw the difference. Away is to soak pressure, while home is to attack. You attack at away systematically, while home you do it with caution. That's exactly what we have done. It's good and I love it. It shows that we have been working and God has been helping us."

Coach Unuanel urged Cross Riverians to pray for Rovers, while adding that the team will do everything humanly possible to glorify the club.

Rovers will depart Calabar for Oyo State on Friday ahead of the clash with 3SC scheduled for Sunday 14th February at the Dipo Dinu Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, by 4pm.

Comments

Engr. Jerome Egbe Visits NSCDC Command for Strategic Partnership on Public Utilities

The Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State on Public Utilities, Engr. Dr. Jerome Egbe, KSM, today, October 8, 2025, paid a courtesy visit to the Commander of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Cross River Command, Mr. Brown Charles, in Calabar. The visit centered on establishing a strategic partnership to protect and secure public utilities across the state from vandals and criminal elements. During the meeting, Engr. Egbe emphasized the importance of safeguarding all critical public infrastructure and ensuring close collaboration between the Ministry of Public Utilities and the NSCDC in achieving the Governor’s vision for a sustainable and secure state. He also inspected the state of the Command’s facilities and sympathized with the personnel over the recent rainstorm that destroyed parts of the roofing, leaving the building flooded and disrupting operations. Engr. Egbe conveyed the administration’s sympathy and reiterated Governor Bassey O...

BREAKING NEWS: Youths of Ikot Ansa Nab Vandals Destroying Public Utilities, Hand Over to Authorities for Prosecution

In a combined effort to curb the rampant vandalism of public utilities in Cross River State, the youth leader of Ikot Ansa, Prince, Victor Otu Iso JR, alongside his community, successfully apprehended criminals involved in the destruction of vital public infrastructure. The vandals were caught red-handed this morning, 13th day of September 2024, as they attempted to steal Amor cables belonging to state transformers at Ekpo Iso. Acting swiftly, the youth leader invited the Special Adviser on Public Utilities, Engr. Dr. Jerome Egbe KSM, and his counterpart on General Duties, Barr. Ekpenyong Akiba, to the scene. The Special Advisers arrived promptly, accompanied by operatives of the Nigerian Police Force from the Federal Division, and took custody of the criminals. The suspects have since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further interrogation and prosecution. While addressing the youths of Ikot Ansa, Engr. Dr. Egbe and Barr. Akiba commended t...

Engr. Egbe Commends Governor Otu for Flag-Off of Subsidized Mini Tractors Distribution

The Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State on Public Utilities, Engr. Dr. Jerome Egbe, KSM, has commended the Executive Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Senator (Apostle) Prince Bassey Edet Otu, for flagging off the distribution of subsidized mini tractors to farmers’ cooperatives in the state. The event, which took place today, October 10, 2025, at the premises of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development, marks another significant step in the Governor’s agricultural transformation agenda. Engr. Egbe described the initiative as a strategic form of public utility empowerment that will serve as a catalyst for accelerating food production and achieving food sufficiency across the state. He noted that such interventions demonstrate the Otu-led administration’s commitment to empowering rural farmers, creating employment opportunities, and ensuring food security for all Cross Riverians. He further thanked the Governor for his admini...

Detailing News

Search This Blog