Tempers and intrigues took the center stage on Wednesday 30 April as the 2025 Nationwide League One playoffs entered its matchday four at the Awka City Stadium with Ozalla Football Academy came from behind twice to prevail over 10-man A&A Kiviasennus in a nine-goal thriller, Exclusivenews.com.ng reports.

A&A enjoyed greater possession in the early exchanges as they bossed the 2023 NEROS/Anambra FA Cup winners to the admiration of the spectators. 

They made their dominion count early with Emmanuel Chiedozie opening scoring for the Coach Lotanna Ifejiofor side. But it turned out a temporary lead as Chidera Michael restored parity for Ozalla FA.

However, Umenya Chukwuekezie restored A&A advantage with a sumptuous strike, giving his side a 2-1 lead. 

Yet for the second time, Ozalla came back on level terms with Obike Henry drawing level for Ozalla before. Ozalla went in front for the first time in the feisty contest when Obike scored his second goal in the game just before the break.

But A&A we're to feel hard done when they were reduced to 10 men following the sending off of Chiemeka Ozurumba following what the match official thought to be a harsh challenge on an Ozalla FA defender.

Tempers rose to boiling point on the part of A&A who claimed it was neither a harsh challenge nor a red card offence. However, sanity was to be restored as both sides went into the half time break with Ozalla in the driving seat on 3-2 advantage.

Back into the second period, Ozalla FA made their numerical advantage count as Francis Chukwura increased Ozala's advantage with the fourth goal of the game. Minutes later, Chukwura completed his brace on the day after dribbling A&A defenders, including the goalkeeper.

At 5-2, it looked a done and dusted deal but Coach Lotanna's men would hear none of that despite their numerical disadvantage.

Turning disadvantage into advantage, Okike Prince got the third for A&A as they turned on the heat on their foes. If you think they are done, you're far from the reality as Oyedele Ayobami converted a spot kick to bring the scores to 5-4.

More controversies were to come as A&A claimed they had a penalty appeal when their striker went to the ground under the Ozalla goalkeeper's challenge but the match official waved it away. 

An embittered Coach Ifejiofor fumed with rage, wondering how and why the match official would wave off the incident as the final whistle sounded, leaving final scoreline at 5-4 in favour of Ozalla FA.

Ozalla have now have three points from two games while A&A have lost their opening two games.