Ikanga brace revives Sheikh Russel

Jean Jules Ikanga scored twice as Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra continued their consolidation of a string good results in the JB Bangladesh Premier League with a 2-0 win over Muktijoddha Sangsad at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong yesterday.

The Cameroonian striker scored with two towering headers, one in each half, as the former champions stitched together a five-match unbeaten streak, moving two points clear of ninth placed Team BJMC.

The match saw possession fairly equally shared all through and there weren't too many clear cut opportunities, but the Cameroonian, using his imposing physique to great effect, notched up Sheikh Russel's fifth win of the campaign. Ikanga gave the Blues a 36th minute lead by powering home Atiqur Rahman Meshu's in-swinging corner into the far corner of the Muktijoddha net.

Muktijoddha could have found the equaliser during the last minute of the half when Ahmed Kolo Musa darted into the box from the left and found Sheikh Russel keeper Mamun Khan in a one-on-one situation, but the striker's powerful attempt sailed over the crossbar.

The All Reds were made to pay for that missed opportunity as the same combination gave Sheikh Russel the second goal nine minutes from time. This time Mishu floated in a perfectly weighted cross from the left flank, and Ikanga once again rose high to head the ball past Muktijoddha's goalkeeper.

Sheikh Russel moved up to 19 points while Muktijoddha remained on fifth position with 23 points.

Meanwhile, defending champions Sheikh Jamal continued their indifferent form as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Team BJMC in the second match of the day. The three-time champions conceded the lead when Samson Iliyasu wrongfooted Sheikh Jamal goalkeeper Mazharul Islam Himel from the spot after being bundled inside the box by defender Malick Mendy.

However, the Dhanmondi giants came out guns blazing in the second half and wasted a couple of chances before Emeka Darlington's powerful header on an Enamul Haque Sharif cross salvaged a valuable point. That point took third-placed Sheikh Jamal to 29th position while Team BJMC remained in 9th with 17 points.