In a gripping cup encounter at the Joju Mini Stadium in Sango-Ota, Ogun State, City Warriors F.C faced off against Glory F.C on 24 June 2025. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.
City Warriors lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, a tactical setup designed to provide both defensive solidity and attacking flair. Abdulrazaq Kabir took his position between the sticks, while Osagie Osagie and Kazeem Ibrahim occupied the right and left defensive flanks respectively. The central defensive pairing of Ogungbenro Gabriel and Oyekanmi Taiwo provided a robust backbone. In midfield, Oladega Fatai and Afolabi Aliu operated as central midfielders, tasked with linking play and controlling the tempo. Ahead of them, Tajudeen Muheez and Agbofuja Mayowa flanked the attacking midfielder Abdulkareem Abdulkabir, with Adepoju Ayomide leading the line as the striker.
The substitutes for City Warriors included Adebayo Moses, Ajeyemi Osaze, and Abioye Mustapha, who would be called upon later in the match as the game unfolded.
The first half saw City Warriors take the initiative, with Adepoju Ayomide breaking the deadlock in the 21st minute. A well-placed cross from Abdulkareem Abdulkabir found Ayomide, who unleashed a powerful right-footed strike from outside the area, sending the ball soaring into the net and giving City Warriors a 1-0 lead.
As the half progressed, Glory F.C struggled to find their rhythm, but City Warriors' defence remained resolute. Oyekanmi Taiwo made a crucial clearance in the 31st minute, preventing a potential chance for the opposition. However, Afolabi Aliu's tackle in the 35th minute failed to stop Glory's advances, leaving the defence exposed.
The match took a turn in the 41st minute when Osagie Osagie received a yellow card for denying a goalscoring opportunity, a decision that would weigh heavily on the Warriors as the match wore on. Just before the half-time whistle, Afolabi Aliu attempted a shot that went wide, leaving the score at 1-0 as the teams headed into the break.
The second half began with Abdulkareem Abdulkabir testing the Glory goalkeeper, but his effort was saved just a minute after the restart. City Warriors continued to defend stoutly, with Afolabi Aliu making a vital interception in the 56th minute to thwart another Glory attack.
In the 57th minute, Oladega Fatai made a key pass that created a chance for his teammates, demonstrating the midfield's importance in transitioning from defence to attack. Abdulrazaq Kabir, the City Warriors goalkeeper, showcased his skills by catching a cross in the 60th minute, followed by a punch to clear a dangerous ball in the 68th minute.
However, the match took a dramatic turn in the 70th minute when Afolabi Aliu received a yellow card for offensive language, and just seven minutes later, he was shown a second yellow, resulting in a red card that left City Warriors with ten men.
With the numerical advantage, Glory F.C capitalised on the situation and equalised in the 81st minute. A well-placed shot from outside the box found the back of the net, leaving Abdulrazaq Kabir with no chance to save.
In response to the equaliser, City Warriors made three tactical substitutions in the 81st minute, bringing on Adebayo Moses for Osagie Osagie, Ajeyemi Osaze for Adepoju Ayomide, and Abioye Mustapha for Agbofuja Mayowa. These changes aimed to reinforce the team as they sought to regain control of the match.
As the final whistle approached, both teams fought valiantly. The match showcased the resilience and determination of City Warriors, particularly in the face of adversity, with Adepoju Ayomide earning the accolade of Player of the Match for his outstanding performance.
