Atayese 1 FC Draw 1-1 With Sunshine FC In Eight-A-Side Friendly

Atayese 1 Football Club hosted Sunshine FC at Lagos Mainland Local Government Area on 10 January 2026, with kick-off at 3:00pm in an eight-a-side friendly match that ended in a 1-1 stalemate after 90 minutes of play. The encounter provided a competitive platform for both sides to test their cohesion and tactics ahead of the new season.

Atayese 1 lined up in a 2-3-2 formation, a setup designed to balance defensive solidity with midfield control and attacking support. Daniel Chimoabi took his place between the sticks as goalkeeper, tasked with organising the backline and commanding his area. The defensive duo of Chidera Godswill and Abudulia operated centrally, expected to provide a strong shield against Sunshine FC’s forwards. In midfield, the trio consisted of Jamiu Selim on the right, Emeka centrally, and Oluwadamilare Adeola on the left, each responsible for linking defence and attack while supporting both phases of play. Up front, Emmanuel occupied the right forward position, with Akins Sammy on the left, both charged with creating and converting goal-scoring opportunities.

The match began with both teams probing cautiously, but it was Sunshine FC who broke the deadlock in the 38th minute. Their goal came directly from a corner kick, with a close-range finish using the right foot that caught Atayese 1’s defence off guard. The set-piece delivery proved decisive, as the visitors capitalised on the chaos in the box to take a 1-0 lead just before half-time.

Atayese 1 responded after the interval with increased urgency and intent. Their persistence paid off in the 59th minute when a misfortune befell Sunshine FC, as an own goal was inadvertently scored by one of their players using the left foot. This crucial moment levelled the score at 1-1 and reignited the contest, much to the delight of the home supporters.

Despite efforts from both sides to find a winner in the remaining stages, the match concluded with honours even. The referee maintained control throughout the game, though his performance was rated as average, allowing the flow of the match to continue without major disruption.

Overall, Atayese 1 Football Club demonstrated resilience and tactical discipline in their 2-3-2 formation, with midfielders Olly , Ayo , Jamiu Selim, emeka , and Oluwadamilare Adeola and other subs that came in playing pivotal roles in both defensive cover and attacking transitions. The defensive pairing of Godswill, hammed and Abidulia were tested but managed to keep the opposition forwards at bay for the most part. Up front, Emmanuel , Moscow and Akins Sammy worked hard to create chances, though a clinical finish eluded them until the fortunate own goal.

The friendly provided valuable match practice for Atayese 1 as they prepare for the challenges ahead, while Sunshine FC will rue the missed opportunity to secure victory after taking the lead through a well-executed set piece. The 1-1 draw reflected a balanced contest between two evenly matched sides on the day.