Mateco Football Academy Fall To 4-1 Defeat At Akure Township Stadium

Mateco Football Academy travelled to Akure Township Stadium to face Sunshine Stars U17 in a friendly away match on 15 January 2026, kicking off at 4:10pm. The 90-minute contest ended in a 4-1 victory for the home side, with Mateco Football Academy unable to hold on to their first-half lead.

Mateco lined up in a traditional 4-3-3 formation, aiming to balance defensive solidity with attacking flair. Suberu Abdulbasit took his place between the sticks as goalkeeper, shielded by a back four comprising Ayodele Victor at right back, Abdulrahman Nazir and Joseph Emmanuel as central defenders, and Ifeoluwa Adepitan on the left. The midfield trio featured Ajewole Oluwaseun on the right, Taiwo Ayobami centrally, and Joseph Love on the left, tasked with both defensive duties and linking play forward. Up front, the attacking trio consisted of Eniolurunda Olumide on the right wing, Yusuf Maleek leading the line as striker, and Wisdom A. operating on the left flank. No substitutes were named for this fixture.

The match began with both sides probing for openings, but it was Mateco Football Academy who struck first. In the 41st minute, a well-delivered free kick from Abdulrahman Nazir found Ayodele Victor inside the box. Victor made no mistake, slotting the ball home with his right foot from close range to give the visitors a deserved lead just before half time. This goal was a testament to the defensive unit’s ability to contribute offensively, with Nazir’s precise set-piece delivery creating the chance.

As the referee blew for half time at the 45th minute, Mateco held a slender advantage. However, the second half saw a swift turnaround in fortunes. Sunshine Stars U17 came out with renewed vigour and levelled the score in the 53rd minute, capitalising on a lapse in Mateco’s defensive organisation. The home side’s equaliser set the tone for the remainder of the match.

Mateco’s backline struggled to contain the relentless pressure from Sunshine Stars, who scored again in the 65th minute to take the lead. The visitors found themselves chasing the game as the home team’s attacking play grew increasingly dangerous. Despite Mateco’s attempts to regain control through their midfield, Sunshine Stars extended their advantage further in the 81st minute, exploiting gaps on the flanks and finishing clinically.

As the clock ticked towards full time, Sunshine Stars sealed their emphatic victory with a fourth goal in the 88th minute, leaving Mateco Football Academy with little time to respond. The final whistle confirmed a 4-1 scoreline, reflecting the home side’s dominance in the second half and Mateco’s inability to maintain their early promise.

Overall, Mateco Football Academy showed glimpses of quality, particularly in their first-half organisation and set-piece execution. Yet, the resilience and attacking prowess of Sunshine Stars U17 proved decisive, overturning the deficit and securing a comprehensive win on home soil.