Clinical Galadima FC punish Asteras Tripolis to reach FCT Federation Cup Round of 16

Posted : 31 March 2026

Galadima FC delivered a composed and clinical performance to secure a 3–1 victory over Asteras Tripolis FC of Kubwa, advancing to the Round of 16 of the ongoing 2026 FCT President Federation Cup.

The Round of 32 clash, played at the Area 3 Football Pitch in Abuja, marked the opening day of the competition and set the tone for what promises to be an exciting tournament.

From the onset, both sides showed intent, but it was Galadima FC who capitalised on key moments. Samson Joshua opened the scoring in the 42nd minute, rising unmarked to nod home and give his side a deserved lead.

Asteras Tripolis responded just before the break after a costly error from Galadima goalkeeper Shamsu Lawal resulted in a penalty. Sunday Elijah calmly converted from the spot to restore parity at 1–1 heading into halftime.

The second half saw a more cautious approach from both teams, with defensive organisation limiting clear-cut chances.

However, Galadima FC’s quality eventually shone through in the closing stages.

Joshua turned from provider to match-winner in the 83rd minute, unleashing a long-range effort from 23 yards to restore his side’s advantage. The goal shifted momentum firmly in Galadima’s favour.

Five minutes later, the contest was effectively settled when Sani Ahmed teed up Ali Zarami, who finished clinically to make it 3–1 and seal progression.

Despite the defeat, Asteras Tripolis FC showed flashes of promise, particularly in their resilience and structure, but ultimately fell short due to lapses attributed to inexperience.

Head Coach Barnabas Awuni acknowledged his team’s effort, noting that the young squad would learn from the outing as they prepare for their upcoming Nigeria Nationwide League One (NLO) campaign.

On the other hand, Galadima FC Head Coach Emeka Ayinba praised his team’s preparation and execution, expressing confidence ahead of their Round of 16 tie against Sporting Dreams FC on April 10.

In another fixture, Sporting Dreams FC secured a comfortable 2–0 victory over Mailantarki FC to book their place in the next round.

With 32 teams competing in the men’s category, the 2026 FCT President Federation Cup is already delivering drama, and Galadima FC’s performance positions them as early contenders aiming to go one better than their previous semi-final finish.

The victory underscores Galadima FC's tactical discipline and ability to perform under pressure during the tournament's knockout stages. As they look forward to their encounter with Sporting Dreams FC, the team remains focused on maintaining their clinical edge to progress further in the competition.

Clinical Galadima FC punish Asteras Tripolis to reach FCT Federation Cup Round of 16

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