Apo scores winner as Kutubu stun Wawens

Kutubu kicked off their debut Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League (NSL) season with a 1-0 win over Morobe Wawens side at the National Sports Institute in Goroka, Eastern Highlands, on Saturday.
Andrew Apo scored the winner off a corner kick in the opening half.
Kutubu coach Mathew Witu, who was pleased with the performance of his inexperienced team, told The National that his side played well against experienced Wawens outfit.
“The bulk of our players have never played at the NSL level and to see such a rookie side matching the experience of Wawens was satisfying and I have to give credit to my players,” Vitu said.
“Andrew Apo was the only experienced player in our squad and he really showed his class right from the start and ended up scoring the winning goal for us.
“Captain Henry Gulf and Jess Moses were solid in defence.”
The Wawens had the services of Joshua Panget, Keneth Pilailo and Ferdallas Namuesh but couldn’t create any chances, given the resilience of Kutubu.
Despite Kutubu first win, Witu said his side still needed to improve in their passing.
“Our ball possession was not that good,” he said.
“We conceded so many turnovers.
“A lot of our passes were inaccurate and we cannot afford to do that in the NSL.”
Meanwhile, Kutubu face Tusbab Stallions, who lost to Lae City 0-1 in Madang, in their next match.
The two sides will meet at Laiwaden Oval.