Noble Boys And Rising Star Share Spoils In Thrilling Draw

In a closely contested friendly match held at the Noble Boys Football Academy on 16 February 2025, the home side faced off against Rising Star FC, with both teams ultimately settling for a 1-1 draw. The match kicked off at 3:00pm and provided plenty of excitement for the players and spectators alike.

Noble Boys lined up in a 3-4-1 formation in a 9-aside pitch, which saw Victor Oni stationed in goal, while a trio of defenders comprised Abba Abubakar on the right, Solomon Igwe in the centre, and Chijioke Oroke on the left. The midfield was anchored by Emmanuel Igwe and Elijah Francis in central roles, with Bobo and Prince providing width as right and left midfielders, respectively. Up front, Goodluck was tasked with leading the line as the striker.

The substitutes for the match included Michael Naza, Chibuzor O, Kelechi Prince, Ifebuche Okafor, and Fortune Fatosin, who would later play pivotal roles in the unfolding drama.

The first half saw both teams probing for openings, but neither could find the back of the net, leading to a goalless stalemate at the break. As the second half commenced, Noble Boys made an early substitution, bringing on Michael for Prince, aiming to inject fresh energy into their left flank.

As the match progressed, the tactical changes began to pay dividends. In the 59th minute, Chibuzor replaced Elijah Francis, adding further dynamism to the midfield. Just a minute later, Kelechi Prince came on for Goodluck, as Noble Boys sought to bolster their attacking options.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 65th minute when Chibuzor, having just entered the fray, unleashed a stunning long-range strike from outside the box. His left-footed effort soared past the Rising Star goalkeeper, sending the home crowd into raptures and giving Noble Boys a deserved lead.

However, the drama was far from over. As the match entered stoppage time, Rising Star FC was awarded a penalty in the 93rd minute. The tension was palpable as the visitors converted the spot-kick, equalising and ensuring that both teams would leave the pitch with a share of the spoils.

The match showcased the resilience and determination of both sides, with Noble Boys Football Academy demonstrating their attacking prowess while also highlighting the need for defensive solidity as they prepare for future challenges.