Blessed Stars, FC ONE Rocket Share the Spoils in Thrilling 1-1 Draw as NLO Season Kicks Off in Uyo Centre
The 2025 Nationwide League One (NLO) Division One season got off to an exciting start on Wednesday as Blessed Stars FC and FC ONE Rocket played out a 1-1 draw in a fiercely contested opener at the Uyo Township Stadium.
The match, which kicked off at 9:00am, lived up to its billing as one of the most thrilling fixtures across the country on matchday one. Fans were treated to a lively encounter filled with skill, intensity, and near misses.
Blessed Stars impressed with their crisp passing game and coordinated team play, while FC ONE Rocket thrilled supporters with their direct approach and dazzling dribbling runs.
Despite both teams creating several scoring chances, the first half ended goalless, with neither side able to find the breakthrough.
The deadlock was finally broken midway through the second half when Blessed Stars’ Emmanuel Gotau capped off a flowing team move with a well-taken finish to put his side ahead.
FC ONE Rocket, however, responded swiftly. Just five minutes later, Simon Reuben danced his way into the box and fired past Joseph David in goal for Blessed Stars to draw his side level.
With both coaches, Ubong Vincent of Blessed Stars and Itoro Xavier of FC ONE Rocket, urging their players to push for a winner, the match ended in a tense and frantic finish. But neither team could find the decisive goal, and the points were shared.
The result leaves both teams with one point each as the race for the sole promotion playoff ticket in the Uyo Centre begins.
