Ridyem FC Stage Stunning Comeback To Defeat OB 12 FC 4–2 in Oriade NLO Pre-Season Thriller
3 min read
By David Edene
Ridyem FC produced an impressive comeback performance to defeat OB 12 FC 4–2 in a thrilling encounter at the Oriade FC Pre-Season Tournament. After trailing at halftime, Ridyem responded with a dominant second-half display to turn the game around and secure a memorable victory.
The match began at a lively pace, with both sides showing attacking intent from the opening minutes. Ridyem FC created the first opportunity in the 1st minute when Lekan Ayodele stepped up to take a free kick from a promising position. His well-struck effort was comfortably handled by OB 12 goalkeeper Musa Abd’Mojeed, who reacted quickly to prevent an early breakthrough.
OB 12 FC responded in the 12th minute when Abeeb Oladejo attempted a powerful long-range strike. However, Ridyem goalkeeper Ibrahim Ismail remained alert and gathered the ball safely.
Just three minutes later, OB 12 came close again. Yakub Adegoke received the ball inside the penalty area but his left-footed attempt lacked the required power, allowing Ibrahim Ismail to make another routine save.
Ridyem nearly broke the deadlock in the 16th minute through Stephen Ogunleye, who found himself with a clear sight of goal. With the goalkeeper beaten, it appeared certain that the ball would find the net, but an OB 12 defender produced a heroic goal-line clearance to keep the scores level.
The pressure from Ridyem continued to build. In the 32nd minute, Taiwo Afolabi was presented with a golden opportunity after breaking free on goal. He calmly slotted the ball past the advancing goalkeeper, but his effort narrowly drifted wide of the far post, leaving the Ridyem bench in disbelief.
After weathering several attacks, OB 12 FC eventually made their moment count late in the first half. In the 42nd minute, Yakub Adegoke was released down the left flank. Showing composure and skill, he drove into the box, rounded the onrushing goalkeeper, and calmly placed the ball into the bottom right corner to give OB 12 a 1–0 lead.
OB 12 almost doubled their advantage in stoppage time before the break. Emmanuel Aloh made an impressive run, cutting inside past two defenders. With the goal at his mercy, he unleashed a shot but unexpectedly fired over the crossbar.
Ridyem FC returned from the break determined to change the course of the match. Their persistence paid off in the 54th minute when they were awarded a penalty following a foul inside the box. Taiwo Afolabi stepped forward and confidently converted the spot kick, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to restore parity.
The momentum of the match shifted further in Ridyem’s favor just four minutes later. OB 12’s Mubarak Rafiu received a second yellow card in the 58th minute, reducing his side to ten men and putting them under increasing pressure.
Ridyem quickly capitalized on their numerical advantage.
In the 62nd minute, they completed the comeback by scoring their second goal to take the lead for the first time in the match.
The pressure did not relent as Ridyem continued to dominate possession and push forward. Their attacking persistence paid off again in the 67th minute when they added a third goal, strengthening their control of the contest and leaving OB 12 with a mountain to climb.
Despite being a man down, OB 12 FC showed admirable resilience and managed to pull one back in the 74th minute, briefly reigniting hopes of a comeback.
OB 12 had another clear opportunity in the 81st minute but failed to convert, a miss that ultimately proved costly as Ridyem remained dangerous on the counterattack.
Deep into stoppage time, Ridyem FC finally sealed the victory. In the 90+2 minute, they struck again to score their fourth goal and effectively end the contest.
OB 12 FC were handed one last chance in the 90+4 minute when Kamal Abd’Salam found himself in a promising position, but he could not convert as the opportunity slipped away.
At the final whistle, Ridyem FC celebrated a hard-fought 4–2 victory after a spirited second-half comeback, while OB 12 FC were left to reflect on missed chances and the red card that ultimately shifted the balance of the game.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
