Thanks for the pictures. I will mention your solution to my friend with the problem.
Your nRF24 board looks just like mine and I have had no problems.
I have not seen my friend's board but I think, from what he said, that his nRF24 is lying parallel to his circuit board like yours. Whereas when I built my veroboard devices I deliberately mounted the nRF24 perpendicular to the veroboard. I hope this sketch is clear.
...R