Royal Elite Held To 1-1 Draw By Crispy Chicken At FAANS

Royal Elite Football Club welcomed Crispy Chicken FC to FAANS, Calabar on 17 March 2025 for a friendly kick-off at 4:00pm. The match ended in a 1-1 stalemate after a competitive 90 minutes plus injury time, with both sides sharing the spoils in front of a modest crowd of 120. Referee Leo Bassory oversaw the encounter with a commendable performance.

Royal Elite deployed a classic 4-3-3 formation, aiming to balance defensive solidity with attacking flair. Emmanuel Asuquo started in goal, protected by a back four consisting of Samuel Umanah at right-back, Emmanuel Ini and Praise Njama as central defenders, and Saviour Eno Williams on the left flank. The midfield trio featured Samuel Aniedi on the right, Christian Ekong centrally, and John Ekpenyong on the left, tasked with linking defence and attack. Upfront, the forward line was spearheaded by Osang Hopewell as the central striker, flanked by Saviour unknown on the right and Emediong Samuel on the left. The substitutes bench included Emmanuel Michael and Marvellous Effiong.

From the outset, Royal Elite looked to impose their rhythm, with the wide midfielders and forwards expected to stretch Crispy Chicken’s defence. John Ekpenyong’s role on the left was pivotal in creating chances, while Christian Ekong was charged with controlling the midfield tempo. The defensive line was set to maintain a compact shape, with full-backs supporting attacks when possible.

The first half saw Royal Elite build momentum, culminating in a well-crafted goal just before the break. At the 45th minute, Saviour unknown capitalised on a short pass from John Ekpenyong inside the box, slotting home a close-range finish with his right foot. This goal was a testament to the fluidity of Royal Elite’s attacking play, rewarding their persistence and creativity down the left channel.

Half-time arrived with Royal Elite leading 1-0, but the tactical adjustments made immediately after the break signalled a shift in approach. Emmanuel Michael replaced goalkeeper Emmanuel Asuquo at the interval in a tactical move, perhaps to inject fresh energy or adapt to the flow of the game. Shortly after, at the 52nd minute, Marvellous Effiong came on for central midfielder Christian Ekong, further altering the midfield dynamics.

The match intensified in the second half, with Crispy Chicken responding strongly. At 65 minutes, Christian Ekong received a yellow card for a bad tackle, an indication of the rising physicality and tension on the pitch. Two minutes later, Crispy Chicken drew level through a spectacular direct free-kick from outside the box, struck with the left foot. This goal demonstrated their set-piece prowess and resilience in the face of Royal Elite’s early dominance.

The game’s tempers flared as the contest grew more heated. Crispy Chicken were shown a yellow card at 71 minutes for offensive language or gestures, reflecting the mounting frustration. The disciplinary issues culminated in a red card for Crispy Chicken at the 87th minute due to dissent by word or action, reducing them to ten men in the closing stages.

Despite the numerical advantage, Royal Elite were unable to find a winner before the final whistle. The match concluded 1-1, a fair result given the competitive nature and tactical battles throughout the game. Both sides displayed moments of quality and determination, with Royal Elite’s early goal and Crispy Chicken’s set-piece equaliser standing out as key moments.

The referee, Leo Bassory, managed the game with authority and fairness, ensuring the match flowed despite the disciplinary incidents. The tactical substitutions by Royal Elite indicated a desire to control the second half, though the opposition’s resilience ultimately earned them a share of the spoils.

In summary, Royal Elite’s 4-3-3 formation allowed them to create opportunities and take the lead, but Crispy Chicken’s response and set-piece threat ensured a balanced contest. The match provided valuable insights ahead of future fixtures, with both teams showing strengths and areas for improvement.