Alhamdu Football Club faced off against Besiktas F.A.A in a gripping league match at the Kawokudi Astroturf on 23 March 2025, with the visitors emerging victorious with a scoreline of 3-0. The match, which kicked off at 3:00pm, drew an attendance of 349 spectators, all eager to witness the clash between these two competitive sides.
Alhamdu FC lined up in a 4-1-2-3 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for attacking flair. Shaibu Mustapha took his place in goal, shielded by a back four consisting of Ibrahim Alidu on the right, Ismail Osman on the left, and the central defensive partnership of Yussif Jabel and Abdul Samed Nassiru. In front of them, Ramsey Sarpong operated as a defensive midfielder, tasked with breaking up play and providing support to both the defence and the attack. The midfield trio was completed by Hardi Misbaw and Richard Bribinti, who were positioned as right and left attacking midfielders respectively, while the forward line featured Solomon Antobam on the right, Mensah Godwin as the central striker, and Nurudeen Alhassan on the left.
As the match commenced, Alhamdu FC aimed to assert their dominance early on, but it was Besiktas who quickly found their rhythm. The visitors displayed a fluid attacking style, putting pressure on Alhamdu's defence from the outset.
The first half saw a series of missed opportunities for both teams, with Alhamdu struggling to convert their chances. Richard Bribinti, who would later be named Player of the Match, was particularly lively on the left flank, creating several openings but failing to find the back of the net.
As the match approached the half-time mark, Besiktas capitalised on a defensive lapse from Alhamdu. A well-placed cross from the right found an unmarked striker in the box, who made no mistake in slotting the ball past Mustapha, giving Besiktas a crucial lead just before the break. The first half ended with the score at 1-0 in favour of the visitors.
The second half began with Alhamdu FC looking to respond, but Besiktas maintained their momentum. The visitors doubled their lead shortly after the restart, as a swift counter-attack caught Alhamdu off guard. A precise through ball split the defence, allowing the Besiktas forward to race clear and finish clinically, leaving Mustapha with little chance.
Alhamdu continued to push forward in search of a goal, with Misbaw and Bribinti combining well in midfield to create opportunities. However, the Besiktas defence held firm, thwarting their efforts time and again.
As the match progressed, Besiktas sealed their victory with a third goal, a stunning strike from outside the box that flew past Mustapha into the top corner. The Alhamdu players were visibly deflated, knowing that their chances of a comeback were slipping away.
Despite the scoreline, Alhamdu FC showed resilience and determination, with Bribinti's performance standing out as a beacon of hope amidst the disappointment. The final whistle blew, confirming a 3-0 defeat for Alhamdu, who will need to regroup and reassess as they look ahead to their next fixture.
