Warri Wolves manager Paul Aigbogun has lauded striker Gbolahan Salami for his contribution to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side following Wednesday’s 3-1 win at home to Dolphins.
Salami, 23, twice hit target as the ‘Seasiders’ defeated Dolphins 3-1 at the Warri City Stadium to climb fourth in the Glo Premier League table.
The Super Eagles striker’s brace moved him joint top of the Glo Premier League scorers’ chart with 14 goals, same tally as Rangers’ Ighodaro Osaguona.
“He has been doing well for quite some time now and is an integral part of the team,” Aigbogun is quoted as saying on lmc-ng.org. “We are happy with his input which has helped the team.”
Wolves have now notched up 43 points from 28 games and are four points behind leaders Kano Pillars.
Salami, fresh from suspension, opened scoring from the penalty spot after Ifeanyi Ede was impeded in the box by Wolves Victor Ezuruike.
The hosts maintained a 1-0 lead into the half-time break before Ikechukwu ThankGod doubled their advantage on 53 minutes. The defender slotted home from close an Azubuike Egwukwe’s flick-on from the far post.
Emem Eduok reduced Dolphins deficit seven minutes after the hour mark via a glancing header following a neat delivery into the area, but the hardworking Salami was on hard to restore Wolves’ two-goal cushion with ten minutes left to the dead.
Salami marveled his way past Dolphins defenders before poking home his 14th strike of the season.
“My target is to be the highest goalscorer at the end of the season. And also to help Warri Wolves to win the NPFL or at worse get a continental ticket to play in the Champions League next season,” the striker told AfricanFootball.com after the match.
The loss means Dolphins dropped to fifth, a point shy of Wolves.
Dolphins coach Stanlet Eguma said: “Loss of concentration at the back cost us the game. We just gifted Salami the goals. We will have to go back and rectify the problem.”
