AAYK FC, Oriade FC Share Spoils In Goalless Tournament Encounter At Oriade Pre-Season Tournament
2 min read
By David Edene
The second matchday of the Oriade Pre-Season Tournament delivered a thrilling contest between AAYK FC and Oriade FC, with both sides creating chances but failing to convert.
AAYK FC started the brighter of the two sides and nearly found an early breakthrough in the 4th minute. Iyanu Makinde capitalized on a promising attacking position and unleashed a strong effort on goal, but the Oriade goalkeeper Ismail Balogun reacted quickly to deny him.
They came agonizingly close to breaking the deadlock just after the quarter-hour mark. A well-delivered cross into the box was met by Amos Oyeniran, who intelligently directed a header toward Makinde. With the goalkeeper already beaten, it seemed destined to be the opener, only for an Oriade defender to produce a crucial goal-line clearance.
Oriade gradually grew into the game and responded through Olalekan Mufutau before the half-hour mark. The forward showcased his skill with a dazzling run from the right flank, cutting inside and out to evade his marker before firing a low shot. However, AAYK goalkeeper Ebere Agwu was equal to the task, making a solid save.
Set-piece opportunities also came AAYK’s way, and in the 33rd minute, Sunday Olowookere got on the end of a free kick but could only find the side netting.
Just a minute later, Oriade FC nearly produced a moment of brilliance. Samad Kolapo battled two defenders to win an aerial ball and unleashed a powerful strike that rattled the crossbar, leaving the AAYK defense momentarily stunned and drawing a deafening reaction from the fans.
The drama continued when AAYK’s David Odekunle spotted Balogun off his line. His clever attempt beat the goalkeeper, and despite a defender’s effort to clear, a miskick almost gifted AAYK the lead. Fortunately for Oriade, the ball diverted away from goal at the last moment.
The second half maintained the same intensity, though clear-cut chances remained scarce. In the 61st minute, AAYK FC’s Pelumi Olaoluwa found himself in a promising position after receiving a long-range free kick. Despite showing good composure, his final effort lacked precision and drifted wide.
AAYK continued to press with Iyanu Makinde playing a key role. Cutting inside, he set up Amos Oyeniran at the edge of the box. Oyeniran’s powerful strike forced an excellent save from the Balogun, who stretched well to keep the scores level.
Oriade FC had their own late opportunity when Abdulrahman Kilani made a surging run down the left flank before finding Seye Adeyemi in space on the right. Adeyemi controlled the ball well and attempted a curling shot toward the far post, but it narrowly missed the target, rolling out for a goal kick.
The referee eventually brought proceedings to a close, confirming a hard-fought goalless draw between both sides.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
