In what was their first major game of the year, AA FC defeated Mallam FC 4-1 in a home friendly game at Package B of the Abuja National Stadium.

The Abuja-based team, managed by former Golden Eaglets assistant coach Bunmi Haruna, combined clinical early finishing with disciplined defensive work.

Two quick strikes in the first half, including goals at 3’ and 5’, gave AA FC a commanding platform.

Overall possession was balanced (49.4%), but AA FC were sharper in the final third, converting 4 of 17 attempts (23.5%).

The team used the right side effectively, with significant ball circulation through zones 6, 8, 9, and 11, supporting both overlapping and inverted full-back roles.

Long pass strings, such as the 10-pass move at 1’ and the 17-pass sequence from the goal kick at 42’, reflected growing confidence in building through midfield.

Defensively, the midblock and high press limited Mallam to just six shots, though late pressure led to a conceded penalty at 87’.

AA FC head coach, Bunmi Haruna, says the game provides a strong attacking reference point and that his next target is to see how the team can be more dynamic in attack and control the games even more in the 2nd half.

"It was a good game, and scoring early helped us settle down. We lost a bit of our hold on the game in the 2nd half, but we still scored two more goals," Haruna said.

"We’ll need to work more on how to control the game till the end, especially after giving away a cheap penalty.  We know what to do, and we’ll work on it."

A.A FC will campaign in the NLO1, the third tier of the Nigeria league, in the new season.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel