Ernest Governor put up a man of the match performance to help Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin FC to a 2-2 draw over Sunshine Stars on Sunday at the Akure Township Stadium.
Mohammed Mohammed wasted no time in telling the Akure fans his team were in town for businesses when he got inside the box in just 56 seconds into the game but Ayodele Henry in goal for Sunshine had a tip of his finger on the ball to push for a corner.
The visitors were the better side from the first sound of the referee's whistle, making life difficult for their host to get ball.
Alaba Adeniyi of Sunshine wins the ball in front of the ABS FC box but he only managed to shoot inches wide.
Martins Ossy wrestled the ball from a Sunshine Stars defender his pass found Mohammed Mohammed who released a pass to Samuel Oyedeji but his effort was off target.
ABS FC won a corner kick from a counter attacking play, Oyedeji sent a long ball inside the Sunshine box from the corner kick which found an unmarked Governor who rose powerfully to nod in the first goal of the day.
12 minutes later, Abdullahi Boje jumped very high for what looked like one of the saves of the season to parry the ball to the corner from the 25-yard.
Chukwuebuka Anaekwe was booked in the 32nd minute for an hand ball inside his own box and the centre referee wasted no time in pointing to the spot kick.
Ayo Saka stepped forward to take the penalty kick and he sent Boje to the wrong side to level the scoreline for the host.
The host dominated from when they equalised and were rewarded for raising their game three minutes before half time when Alaba Adeniyi capitalized on a defensive blunder to score Sunshine's second goal of the evening.
ABS FC came into the second half the better side with the introduction of skilful Adeshina Gata in place of Bassey Effiom whose first touch made him a way through to the Sunshine box but his shot was parried by lucky Ayodele Henry in goal for the host.
The youngster became a nightmare for Sunshine defenders as he was always dribbling them each time he gets the ball.
Gata's introduction paid off in the 54th minute when he again dribbled through the Sunshine defence from a pass from Governor, his smart move found an unmarked Governor who again tapped home the equaliser from a close range.
From then, ABS dominated and was dictating the proceedings of the game and Sunshine were always wasteful with their scanty chances.
The introduction of Adedipe Kehinde and Samad Kadiri had little or no impact on the game but Adedipe had some scary moments against the Saraki Boys defence.
Chinedu Ajanah was sent off after he was cautioned for the second for time for time wasting during the injury time.
Speaking after the game, ABS FC Coach, Henry Makinwa, said his plan was to win in Akure but he is comfortable with the final result.
"We came here to win but for us, a point is fantastic.
"I asked my player about the penalty, he told me someone pushed him to the ball that he didn't intend to handle the ball" Makinwa said.
The ABS Gaffer said he couldn't celebrate the goals as usual because he is in front of his people.
The Idenre, in Ondo State born tactician explained that it was an emotional home coming.
Meanwhile, Adeshina Gata, was hailed by the Akure fans for his dazzling display when he came in to replace Effiom before the start of the second half.
The youngster assisted the second goal.
Some of the Akure fans described the former Kwara United playmaker "Lionel Messi" while some of them shook and took pictures with him.
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