A friendly match meant to prepare Best Talent Football Club of Mowe for the 2024/2025 Nationwide League One turned into a controversial spectacle as they fell 2-3 to Tripple 44 Football Academy in Ibadan, despite being reduced to nine men.
Both teams started with vigor, delivering a high-intensity first half. An early goal for the hosts was canceled out by Salaudeen’s 39th-minute strike, leaving the score at 1-1 by halftime.
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However, the second half saw tensions rise as two questionable red cards were handed to Best Talent players, Adekunle and Adeoti, by referees from the Oyo State Referee Council.
Best Talent, under the leadership of Coach Yusuf Farouk, held their ground until the 85th minute, when Tripple 44 capitalized on their numerical advantage to score two quick goals.
Despite a late response from the visitors, the match ended 3-2. Tripple 44 also had a player sent off in the closing minutes.
Coach Farouk lamented the officiating, stating, “I don’t like talking about officiating, but the fans and everyone watching could see the bias.
A friendly match should allow us to assess our players properly, but that wasn’t the case today.” He further explained how his request to replace the red-carded players for a fairer assessment was denied by the opposing coach.
The coach also noted the absence of striker Isaacs Basuaye but expressed confidence in his team’s potential moving forward.
As the game concluded, fans and team members voiced concerns about the competence and neutrality of the officiating crew, leaving a bitter aftertaste in what should have been an opportunity for fair competition and player development.
