Noble Boys Football Academy faced off against Samba Boys at the Nkwo Nike Mini Pitch on 6 June 2025, with the match kicking off at 3:00pm. In a competitive fixture, the Noble Boys were unable to secure a victory, succumbing to a 3-1 defeat after a spirited performance, although there were also a lot of insinuations that the referee was unnecessarily biased in the game against Noble Boys
The Noble Boys adopted a 3-1-4-2 formation, which saw three defenders positioned centrally at the back, providing a solid foundation. In front of them, a lone central midfielder was tasked with linking play and supporting both the defence and the attack. The four midfielders were spread across the pitch, with two wide players on the left and right flanks, while the two forwards were positioned centrally, looking to exploit any defensive lapses from the Samba Boys.
As the match unfolded, the Noble Boys were unable to make the most of their tactical setup. The substitutes were the likes of Izunna Okolo, Chidiebere Chiah, Ndubuisi Nwankwo, Chinedu Uzodigwe etc and their presence on the bench provided options for tactical adjustments as the game progressed.
The first half saw both teams probing for openings, but it was Samba Boys who struck first. They took the lead with a well-executed goal, showcasing their attacking prowess. The goal came in the likelihood of an offside and a foul against Noble Boys defender, Afam Okolo but was neglected by the referee after much contest from Noble Boys players. The Noble Boys struggled to find their rhythm, and despite their best efforts, they went into the half-time break trailing by a goal.
As the second half commenced, the Noble Boys aimed to regroup and find an equaliser. Some changes were made to help the tactical power of the team. Izunna Okolo was introduced for Emmanuel, while Chidiebere Chiaha and Ndubuisi Nwankwo was introduced for Collins Ngwu and Kosi Maduka respectively. However, Samba Boys quickly doubled their advantage, capitalising on a defensive error. The Noble Boys were now under pressure, needing to respond urgently to stay in contention.
In search of a goal, Noble Boys got a penalty kick after a hash tackle for Samba defence, this brought hope alive to both players and fans of Noble. The kick was beautifully taken and scored by Stanley Chukwu but the refree cancelled the goal saying there was an encroachment before the kick. The kick was retaken by Stanley but was saved by Kelechi Eneh, the opposition goalkeeper. This really dampened the emotions of Noble Boys players whole they complained about how bad the referee has been treating them.
At the 86th minute, Noble Boys won another penalty kick which was this time taken and scored by Obiora Nnamani. This brought hope back on the side of Noble as they struggled to equalize. But there was a hash tackle by the Noble defender Habib Ahmed in the box on a Samba striker at 90th minute. It was taken and scored making it 3 - 1 against Noble Boys.
The match concluded with Samba Boys celebrating a well-deserved victory, while the Noble Boys were left to reflect on missed opportunities and areas for improvement. Referee Ifesinachi Ezema oversaw the match, but his performance drew mixed reviews from the players and spectators alike. The attendance of 100 fans witnessed an entertaining clash, albeit one that ended in disappointment for the Noble Boys.
