A historic afternoon for Pape Academy FC as the club recorded its first-ever victory in the Nigeria League One, grinding out a 1-0 win over JS FC Suleja in Matchday 3 of the Bida Centre campaign.

Building on the defensive solidity shown in the goalless draw with Bida Lion FC, Pape Academy added the cutting edge that had been missing in their opening two fixtures, striking the decisive blow in the second half and holding firm to see the game out.

The breakthrough came from a well-worked move down the right, a sweeping team goal that reflected the passing patterns the technical crew have drilled all season, finished emphatically at the near post to spark wild celebrations on the Pape Academy bench.

JS FC Suleja pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages, but a resolute back line — superbly organised once again by Abdulrahman Yusuf and Kabiru Bala — restricted the opposition to half chances, and the academy claimed a second successive clean sheet.

"I told the boys after the Bida Lion game that the goals would come, and today they did," said Head Coach Aliyu Mohammed. "This is a special day for everyone connected with Pape Academy — our first win at this level. But we stay humble. It is three points, nothing more, and we go again."

The victory lifted Pape Academy FC to 4 points from three matches, with the team next facing Engr. Bala Bawa FC in Matchday 4.