John Okoli helps Arab Contractors upend nine-player El Daklyeh

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria forward John Okoli scored his fourth league goal of the season for Egyptian Premier League side, Arab Contractors to secure a 2-1 away win over El Daklyeh at the Police Academy Stadium, Cairo on Sunday.

The visitors had won its previous four league games ahead of Sunday’s cash while the host holds a three-match unbeaten streak with two draws and a win from its last three games.

El Daklyeh had a bright start to the game as Barakat Haggag gave the team a tenth-minute lead before the joy was cut short before halftime.

Nigeria midfielder Kelechi Chimezie was sent off in the 37th minute reducing the host to ten players.

The numerical advantage swerved the game in Arab Contractors favour as the travelers searched for the equaliser which came in the second half.

Okoli was at the end of Mohamed Salim’s pass as he poked home his team’s equaliser in the 54th minute.

The game began to sweep from the hands of El Daklyeh as they were reduced to nine players.

Mahmoud Talaat was shown a straight red card in the 75th minute causing more havoc to the host.

As the match approached full-time and was destined for a draw, Mamadou Niass Ndiacko scored the winning goal for Arab Contractors in the 94th minute.

Okoli played for the duration of the match as he scored his fourth goal in 15 league games.

Arab Contractors moved to the fourth position and the last CAF Confederation Cup spot with 27 points after 15 games.

Okoli will hope to add to his goal tally when his side hosts Al Itihad on January 27, at the Arab Contractors Stadium, Cairo.