Oboabona shines as Dinamo Batumi hold Dinamo Tbilisi

Godfrey Oboabona was a thorn in the flesh of Dinamo Tbilisi’s strikers as Dinamo Batumi settled for a 1-1 away draw on Sunday.

After a frustrating 0-0 home draw against Merani Tbilisi in the Georgian top flight’s opening day, Batumi were poised for a daunting task against the reigning champions.

Tbilisi had the better chances in the early stages, but profligacy in front of goal and a commanding display from Oboabona, who blocked Akaki Shulaia and Irakli Bughridze’s goal-bound efforts, ensured that the first half ended goalless.

However, it was the visiting Black Sea Pirates who got the lead after 50 minutes as Jaba Jighauri struck home a loose ball following a rebound from Roin Kvaskhvadze's save.

Five minutes later, the Blue-White levelled the score from the penalty spot courtesy of Nika Ninua, who sent goalkeeper Mikheil Alavidze the wrong way after a handball incident.

The remaining minutes produced no goals and the spoils were shared at the Boris Paichadze Stadium.

For his contribution, the 2013 Afcon winner made seven clearances, six tackles with four aerial battles won.

He took to social media to express his disappointment in Batumi’s inability to get an away win, while assuring that his team would bounce back.

“A good result for us in the derby against Dinamo Tbilisi. We gave our all but were unlucky not to get an away victory. It feels good to stay unbeaten so far and we will surely come out stronger against Telav,” Oboabona tweeted.

Thanks to this result, both teams are joint fifth with two points after two outings. Dinamo Batumi host Kakheti Telavi on Thursday, while Dinamo Tbilisi square up against third-placed Saburtalo on the same day.