Dublin, Ireland
Dundalk, the team wey sabi shine for First Division, dey on top of their game as dem prepare to face Athlone Town this Friday night for Athlone Town Stadium. Kick-off na 7:45 PM sharp, and e fit be the night wey dem go pop champagne if dem win. No be small matter o!
Last week, Dundalk show wetin dem fit do as dem collect 3 points against UCD, winning 3-2 for Oriel Park. After dem fall for Longford the week before, this victory don boost their morale like jollof wey dey dance for pot. Na so dem don gather 72 points for the table, six points clear of second-placed Cobh Ramblers, wey dey host Bray Wanderers at the same time. If Cobh no perform well and Dundalk sharp, dem go carry First Division title commot with two matches still remain. Wetin we go talk say na correct jollof party for their side!
On the other hand, Athlone Town dey struggle hassle. Dem dey last for di table with just 18 points and dem no fit win match since May 9. So, e be like dem don turn to ‘No Win Club’ as dem don dey four months wahala without victory. Who wan make things spicy? Dem wan use this match to spoil Dundalk celebration plans (asanbada!).
This na the fourth time wey both teams go clash this season. The first match na tight 1-0 win for Dundalk thanks to Vinnie Leonard wey header like serious baller. Di second match for Athlone na zero-zero, but that August clash? Mo’ (as in, mouth-watering)! Dundalk carry 6-1 palm oil as dem chop Athlone for Oriel. Athlone even score first, but na like that dem blow (flop)! After that, na serious goal rain from Arubi, two goals from Kenny, late strikes from Rohan Vaughan, and wahala finish from Keith Ward for stoppage time. E no funny o!
Head coach Ciarán Kilduff no dey take things lightly. E don talk say dem must focus, dey no fit allow wind or wahala distract dem. “E go wind everywhere, and we no fit take this match lightly. Athlone dey try to bounce back, so we go need focus. We go fight hard—no be by luck o!”
Kilduff dey always dey stress wetin e fit mean for dem if dem grab victory on Friday night. E don say, “After dis, we go just get two games remaining, e dey shock say season don dey waka like this. If our fans back us well, we fit finish dis season on top, and we go thank dem well.”
For injury matter, wey no wan allow some players play ball, Leo Gaxha and Sean McHale dey out long-term. Norman Garbett and Daryl Horgan dey doubtful for the match, while Shane Tracey still dey miss. But no worry, Mayowa dey back from suspension to lend hand! The rest of the squad dey fit and ready.
So as everyone dey look forward to dis match, make we see if Athlone go give Dundalk some ‘surprise’ or if dem go just follow their trend for ground. Either way, the excitement go dey high as dem prepare for kick-off!
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