On 4th February 2024, at the sprawling Ibadan stadium, Soccer For All (SFA) faced off against Tom Tom FC in a gripping neutral tournament match. The teams battled to a dramatic 3-3 draw after regular time, with Soccer For All eventually triumphing 5-3 in the penalty shootout.
SFA adopted a 4-3-3 formation for this encounter, a setup renowned for its attacking prowess and fluidity. The defensive line consisted of a goalkeeper flanked by two central defenders, with a left and right defender covering the wider areas. In midfield, SFA had a central midfielder supported by a right and left midfielder, enabling them to control the game through the middle. Up front, the attacking trio featured a central striker, with a right and left forward looking to exploit any gaps in the opposition defence. This formation allows for dynamic movement and quick transitions, which SFA aimed to leverage against their opponents.
SFA's starting lineup featured Gbolahan Ajiboye in goal, with Daniel Adesina on the right, Ojelade George and Koulibaly Enioto as central defenders, and Nelson Adedare on the left. The midfield was anchored by Afolabi Akangbe in the centre, supported by Kareem Jamiu on the right and Jimoh Ibrahim on the left. The forward line consisted of Adewale Babatunde on the right, Ojele Joshua as the central striker, and Akintomide Akinbola on the left. The substitutes available for SFA included Victor Olatunde and Richard Kehinde.
The match started vibrantly, although SFA faced an early offside flag when Ojele Joshua found himself in an illegal position in the 10th minute. Both sides were keen to find their rhythm, but it was Gbolahan Ajiboye who was called into action shortly after, making a brilliant point-blank reaction save in the 21st minute, preserving SFA’s chance of a clean sheet.
As the teams entered half-time, the score remained goalless, with both sides unable to convert their chances into goals. The second half began with renewed energy, and in the 70th minute, SFA made their mark on the scoreboard, with Akintomide Akinbola finishing a well-constructed team move, assisted brilliantly by Jimoh Ibrahim with a long pass, sending SFA fans into raptures.
However, Tom Tom FC responded quickly, levelling the score just three minutes later in the 73rd minute, capitalising on a defensive mistake by SFA which allowed their striker to find the net from close range with a right-footed shot. The back-and-forth nature of the match continued, and in the 80th minute, SFA regained the lead thanks to Adewale Babatunde, who scored with a right-footed strike after a superb cross from Akintomide Akinbola, showcasing excellent teamwork.
With the tension escalating, Jimoh Ibrahim extended SFA's lead to 3-1 in the 84th minute, firing home from outside the area after a clever assist by Ojele Joshua with a header. Yet, the nail-biting action continued, as Tom Tom FC pulled a goal back in the 88th minute, bringing the score to 3-2, igniting belief that they could stage a comeback.
A late substitution saw Victor Olatunde replace Nelson Adedare in the 85th minute, as SFA looked to tighten their defence. However, in a thrilling finale, Tom Tom FC equalised once more in the 95th minute to level the scores at 3-3, sending the match to penalties.
The penalty shootout saw SFA's composure shine through, as they converted all five of their penalties with aplomb, while Tom Tom FC scored three, ensuring SFA's progression in the tournament. Jimoh Ibrahim's exceptional performance throughout the match earned him the title of Player of the Match, underscoring his vital contributions and leadership on the field.
