emirate fc Zaria 1 vs 1 YUSDO sports academy kadun

Emirate FC Zaria hosted YUSDO Sports Academy Kaduna at their home ground in Zaria on 25 July 2026, with kick-off at 10:10am in a tightly contested 11-a-side encounter. After 90 minutes plus injury time and a brief spell of extra time, the match finished 1-1, leading to a penalty shootout where YUSDO Sports Academy Kaduna triumphed 5-4.

Emirate FC Zaria lined up in a classic 4-3-3 formation, which typically demands a solid defensive back four, a midfield trio capable of both protecting the defence and supporting the attack, and a front three tasked with stretching the opposition and creating goal-scoring opportunities. The defensive line would have been expected to maintain discipline and contain the opponents’ forwards, while the midfielders balanced defensive duties with linking play forward. The three attackers, positioned across left, centre, and right, were set to press high and exploit any gaps in the opposition’s defence.

No substitutes were named for this fixture, so the starting eleven remained on the pitch throughout the match.

The first half was a balanced affair, with both sides probing carefully but unable to break the deadlock before the interval. The referee, Oho, brought the half to a close at 45 minutes with the scoreline still locked at 0-0.

In the second half, the intensity rose as both teams sought to gain the advantage. Emirate FC Zaria managed to find the breakthrough, scoring their solitary goal to take the lead. However, YUSDO Sports Academy Kaduna responded with determination and levelled the score, ensuring the match would proceed beyond normal time.

With only one minute of extra time played, neither side could find a winner, and the contest was decided by penalties. The shootout was a tense affair, with both teams converting four penalties each before YUSDO Sports Academy Kaduna edged ahead to win 5-4.

Mu Barak was named Player of the Match for his influential performance, standing out amidst a fiercely competitive encounter.

Despite the disappointment of losing on penalties, Emirate FC Zaria showed resilience and quality throughout the match, pushing their opponents to the very limit on home soil.