Noble Boys U-10 Wins Rising Star U-10 In An Encounter

Noble Boys Football Academy U-10 team secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Rising Star FC U-10 in a tightly contested match held on 8 March 2025 at 12:30pm. The game, played in a 9-a-side format, showcased the tactical prowess of both teams, but it was the Noble Boys who emerged victorious, thanks to a solid performance from their players. The match was in commemoration of Coach Emeka Edeh's birthday and this was the first match of a mini-tournament.

The Noble Boys adopted a 3-4-1 formation, which allowed them to maintain a strong defensive line while also providing width and creativity in midfield. The three defenders led by Chibuzor Ozoude were tasked with keeping a tight grip on the Rising Star forwards, while the four midfielders led by Solomon Igwe were expected to dominate possession and support both the attack and defence. The lone forward Victor Oni was positioned to exploit any gaps in the opposition's backline, aiming to convert chances into goals.

As the match commenced, both teams displayed a cautious approach, with neither side willing to take unnecessary risks early on. The Noble Boys, however, began to find their rhythm, utilising their midfielders to control the tempo of the game. The first half saw a few promising attacks, majored by Chiemerie Onwe who has remained the highest goal scorer of the U-10 team, but the goal came from Solomon Igwe who sent back a rebouced ball into the net of the opponent on the 16th minute. The scoreline remained that way till the referee, Emeka Edeh, signalled for half-time at the 20-minute mark.

With the clock ticking down in the second half, Rising Star FC pushed for an equaliser, but the Noble Boys' defence held firm, thwarting every attempt to level the score. The match concluded with the Noble Boys celebrating their hard-fought victory, while Rising Star FC were left to ponder missed opportunities.

Chikamso Ugwuegbunam was instrumental in the Noble Boys' success, earning recognition as the standout player of the match. His brilliant saves and responses in the goalpost were outstanding and actually kept the scoreline the way it is.

With this victory, they have qualified for the finals of the mini-tournament.