NA Royal FC Thrash Ijesha Golden Warriors 4–0 In Oriade NLO Pre-Season Opener

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By David Edene

NA Royal FC produced a commanding second-half performance to defeat Ijesha Golden Warriors 4–0 in the opening match of the Oriade FC NLO Pre-Season Tournament, delighting fans with an impressive attacking display after a closely contested first half.

The tournament kicked off in a lively atmosphere as football lovers gathered around the pitch to witness the first fixture of the competition. Adding prestige to the occasion, the Chief Executive Officer of Niyazbam Multi Services was invited to perform the ceremonial kick-off, officially declaring the tournament open.

Cagey but Entertaining First Half

NA Royal FC started the match with intensity and nearly made an immediate breakthrough. In the opening minute, a Royal player was fouled close to the penalty area, earning an early free kick. The set-piece delivery was driven dangerously across goal, and although a Royal attacker made contact, Ijesha goalkeeper Yusuf Badmus calmly gathered the ball.

Royal continued to pile on the pressure. In the 13th minute, Sanni Zakari delivered another well-taken free kick into the penalty area, but the final touch drifted narrowly wide, resulting in a goal kick.

The best opportunity of the first half arrived in the 23rd minute when Royal striker Chache Muhammed outjumped an Ijesha defender to win an aerial duel before racing through on goal. Facing Badmus one-on-one, Muhammed fired a powerful shot, but the goalkeeper reacted quickly, blocking the effort with his body and punching the rebound away from danger.

Badmus again proved his quality two minutes later with a stunning double save. Daniel Ambrose squared the ball across the box, forcing the goalkeeper to parry it away. The loose ball fell to Hammond Roland, whose quick strike was brilliantly tipped away by Badmus for a corner.

Royal continued to threaten from set pieces. In the 34th minute, Ambrose delivered another dangerous free kick that was headed backward by an Ijesha defender. The ball dropped kindly to Alasa Ahmed, whose header sailed just over the crossbar.

Moments later, Ambrose swung in a corner kick that again found Ahmed, but his header struck the side netting.

Royal almost broke the deadlock late in the half. In the 41st minute, Danlad Exodus burst through on goal, only for Badmus to rush off his line and block the striker’s attempt before defenders cleared the danger.

Despite several chances, the first half ended goalless, with Ijesha Golden Warriors holding firm under sustained pressure.

Royal Take Control After the Break

The second half began with another opportunity for Royal in the 46th minute when Exodus found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Attempting a delicate lob, the forward misjudged his effort as the ball sailed over the crossbar.

However, the breakthrough finally arrived five minutes later. Daniel Ambrose, who had been instrumental in Royal’s attacking moves, initiated a brilliant play and released Suleiman Jamiu on the right wing. Jamiu delivered a precise cross toward the far post where Chache Muhammed rose high to meet it with a flying header that beat the goalkeeper and gave NA Royal FC a deserved lead.

Royal doubled their advantage in the 59th minute through Tobi Orkunis. Latching onto a long pass that caught the Ijesha defense off guard, Orkunis noticed the goalkeeper off his line and expertly lobbed the ball from distance into the empty net to make it 2–0.

Ijesha Golden Warriors attempted to fight back in the 72nd minute when Emmanuel Young dribbled past a Royal defender before firing a shot from inside the penalty area. However, Royal goalkeeper Afolabi Khalid comfortably collected the effort.

Na Royal effectively sealed the victory in the 76th minute following a costly error from the Ijesha goalkeeper. Unable to hold onto a low cross, the ball slipped from his hands and fell kindly to Chache Muhammed, who smashed a thunderous shot into the net for his second goal of the match.

Just three minutes later, Royal added a fourth goal to complete the rout. Suleiman Jamiu broke through on goal, surged into the penalty area, and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom-left corner beyond the helpless goalkeeper.

The emphatic victory marked a perfect start for Na Royal FC in the Oriade NLO Pre-Season Tournament. Their attacking efficiency in the second half proved decisive, while Daniel Ambrose’s creativity and influence in midfield stood out in an impressive team performance.

With such a dominant display, Na Royal FC have already announced themselves as one of the teams to watch as the tournament progresses.