Real Sapphire kicked off their 2024-25 Nigeria Nationwide Legaue One playoffs on a winning note, beating FC Ebedei 2-0 at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, www.aclsports.com reports.
The 2025 TCC League champions, following an impressive run in the league phase of the campaign, came into the playoffs as one of the favourites for the slot, and they ended the opening day with a win to confirm their readiness.
FC Ebedei, group winners from the Sagamu centre, started the game quite well, but the Orange Boys stood their ground and eventually went in front through Olawale Ayodele’s fierce strike off a corner routine in the 20th minute.
However, the Oliseh Boys were doing the playing for most of the opening half, before Real Sapphire wrestled back to take charge of the match for remainder of the first-half.
Less than ten minutes to the break, Real Sapphire were awarded a spotkick after former Flying Eagles winger Musa Akinfenwa dribbled past the opposition goalkeeper in the box. Although it was initially ruled as a free-kick, the penalty was eventually given after a brief conversation between the centre referee and his assistant. Following the deliberations, Junaid Ayomide stepped up to fire into the bottom right corner for his side’s second goal.
With the two-goal cushion, Real Sapphire controlled the match in the second-half, and David Okon – who came on for the injured Samuel Akinleye in the first half – gave a solid performance in the middle of the park to ensure Real Sapphire take all three points.
In the day’s second game, Joy Cometh shocked Stormers SC 1-0 in a tight affair. Stormers huffed and puffed for most of the match, but it was the Lagos side who came out victorious courtesy of Adisa Daniel’s powerful strike on the stroke of halftime.
Match day two matches will take place on Saturday as FC Ebedei trade tackles with Stormers, then Real Sapphire will take on Joy Cometh.
The club that finishes top of the log at the end of match day three on Sunday will be promoted to the second division of Nigerian football – Nigeria National League.
