Taiye makes incredible saves as Makamz FA secure first leg victory

Goalkeeper Atoti Taiye was the standout performer on Saturday as Makamz FA edged past Surprise FA with a narrow 1-0 win in their second outing of the 2025 Kwara Kiddies League season.

In a tightly contested encounter, Taiye delivered a series of stunning saves to preserve a clean sheet and hand Makamz FA their first-leg victory at the league’s second matchday.

From the onset, Taiye was called into action as Surprise FA pushed forward with intent. But it was Makamz’s attacking talent, Jimoh Mubarak, who came closest to opening the scoring in the first half.

In the 9th minute, Mubarak unleashed a powerful shot from distance that was brilliantly tipped over the crossbar by the Surprise FA goalkeeper. Just minutes later, he rattled the woodwork with another spectacular effort from the edge of the box.

Despite the chances, both sides went into the break goalless, with defences holding firm and neither team able to find a breakthrough. The deadlock was finally broken in the 41st minute when Yusuf Abdulrasheed showed grit and determination inside the box.

After a goalmouth scramble and failed clearance by the Surprise defence, Abdulrasheed poked home the winner to send the Makamz bench into celebration.

With time running out, Surprise FA poured forward in search of an equaliser, but they found no way past the inspired Atoti Taiye.

In the 45th minute, he made a flying save to deny a goal-bound effort from the edge of the box, before a teammate swept away the rebound. Moments later, Taiye denied a clear one-on-one opportunity, smothering the shot with calm authority.

Makamz FA held firm to claim all three points and their first win of the campaign. The young goalkeeper was named Man of the Match for his outstanding performance against Surprise FA.