FC Nwosu claims inaugural Ex Internationals Cup title as LSFA appreciates NFF, Soname others

 

The maiden edition of the Nigeria Ex-Internationals Cup 2024, organised by Lagos State Football Association (LSFA), was successfully concluded Sunday, as it ended in a blaze of glory at the prestigious Mobolaji Johnson Arena.

In the final match, FC Nwosu defeated FC Ekpo, in a nail-biting penalty kicks of 6-5 after playing out a goalless 90 minutes in regulation time, to emerge winners of the giant trophy and the princely sum of N2 million.

Once again, like he did in the quater-finals and semi-finals respectively, goalkeeper Samuel Oriola of FC Nwosu, was the hero for his side as he saved two penalty kicks to gift his team the trophy.

And in its unique and refreshing style, the organisers made a resounding and unprecedented statement by ensuring that the winners received their prize monies of N2m, N1m, N500,000 and N250,000, for the first to the fourth placed teams respectively, just few hours after the conclusion of the games, to the delight of the winners, who were pleasantly surprised, as they expressed untold gratitude and appreciation to the organisers.

An elated LSFA boss, Hajji Gafar Olawale Liameed, was thankful to God and everyone who made the tournament a success. Gafar remarked gleefully, that the tournament has set an enviable benchmark for football organisation in the country, which is synonymous with the Lagos State, as the centre of excellence.

While acknowledging the supports and partnership of Bet9ja, Mavlon Football Club, Owu Sportswear, Brila Fm, Sola Akinlade of Sporting Lagos, Liigi League, Olafiranye Sports Foundation and Mr. Mahmud Dawodu.

He added that with the able supports of the LSFA board members, stakeholders, associates and potential partners, next year's edition shall be better and bigger.

Hon. Kunle Soname, CEO/ President of Bet9ja and Value jet, who was obviously impressed by the standard of play and the level of organisation of the tournament, promised to give better support to the tournament in the next edition.

The final of the tournament which was, exciting, entertaining, glitzy and glamorous, was witnessed by the creme de la creme of Nigeria football, included Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu, 1st Vice-President of Nigeria Football Federation; Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, 2nd Vice-President of NFF;  George Aluo, Chairman of NNL; Alhaji Inuwa Ahlan, Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed Fresh, Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi, Chairman Ogun State FA; Otunba Sunday Dele-Ajayi, Chairman Ondo State FA.

Others include Hon. Olalekan Fatodu, Director-General, Lagos State Sports Commission; Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications, Prince Dapo Ajibade, Mutiu Adepoju, Coach Ladan Bosso, as well as States FA Chairmen of Edo, Anambra, Gombe, Kwara, Nasarawa, Jigawa, Kano, Abia, Enugu and Plateau, respectively.

FC Nwosu, Agali FC, three others secure quarterfinal berths in Ex Internationals Cup

 

FC Nwosu are through to the quarter-final of the Nigeria Ex Internationals Cup after dramatically edging FC Amoo 10-9 on penalties.

The star studded FC Nwosu got their goals from Namory Keita and Ishola Olaitan, while FC Amoo netted thanks to Mubarak Mustapha's brace. It meant the game was 3-3 on aggregate.

Goalkeeper Samuel Oriola was the hero in the shootout.

FC Dosu 0-2 FC Agali

FC Agali stunned FC Dosu 2-0 to march on against all odds. The tricky pairing ended 4-3 on aggregate.

Victor Agali's wards cruised to the win courtesy of brace from Aliyu Hassan. 

FC Oloyede 0-0 FC Agbai 

FC Agbai progressed to the next round after drawing 0-0 against FC Oloyode. It was a 3-0 aggregate win for the former.

FC Dominic 0-0 FC Ugbade

FC Dominic and FC Ugbade played a goalless draw but the latter surged ahead 1-0 on aggregate.

Quarter-Final Pairings

FC Agali vs FC Ayila/FC Obafemi 

FC Ekpo vs FC Udeze/FC Okpara 

FC Agbai vs FC Ipaye/FC Ikpeba 

FC Nwosu vs FC Ugbade 

All the matches are billed for Tuesday 25th June. The games will hold at Mobolaji Johnson Arena and Legacy Pitch.

The Nigeria Ex Internationals Cup, is proudly supported by leading gaming company, Bet9ja. 

Other partners are Owu, a foremost sportswear company in Nigeria, Brila FM, Mavlon FC, Mr. Olusola Akinlade, Liigi League, Olafiranye Sports Foundation and Mr. Mahmud Dawodu.

Ex Internationals Cup: FC Udeze humbles FC Okpara as Ikpeba boys, FC Ipaye share spoils

 

It was another day of exciting matches, impressive performances and positive outings at the on Ex Internationals Cup organized by the Lagos State Football Association, LSFA. 

Four games were decided on Wednesday at various centres with FC Udeze recording the biggest win over FC Okpara. 

Here is the wrap for the Matchday:

FC Udeze 4-1 FC Okpara 

Stephen Okpeche, Rashidi Anifowoshe and Olakunle Irinyemi were among the scorers as FC Udeze took a huge step towards the Nigeria Ex Internationals Cup quarter-finals courtesy of a blistering 4-1 win over 10-man FC Okpara in their last-16 first leg.

FC Udeze drew the first blood through Okpeche's delicious free kick. 

FC Okpara were awarded a penalty kick on 10 minutes. Johnson Adeaga rarely lets such go unpunished, and he delivered the goods to level matters. 

The homers looked the much more likely to score, though, and they did so again shortly before the break. Anifowoshe drove home a world class free kick to find the back of the net.

The Godwin Okpara managed team were no doubt relieved to get a breather at half-time. But things was made complicated for the former PSG man's wards, when Oriyomi Adesegun was given the marching orders in the 55th minute.

Former PAOK and Super Eagles overlapping left back, Ifeanyi Udeze kept on urging his wards to go for more like Oliver Twist. They broke in thrilling fashion from another set-piece to leave the away side shell-shocked once again. Olakunle sent home in excellent fashion.

Okpeche got his brace eight minutes after the hour mark.

The frenetic pace dropped a bit thereafter, with FC Okpara limiting the damage, and only a freak result in the return leg can now prevent Udeze's side from reaching the last eight.

FC Nwosu 1-1 FC Amoo

FC Nwosu and FC Amoo drew 1-1, after strikes by Friday Jatau and Samson Akinyoola. Jatau put FC Amoo ahead with a chip into the top corner in the first half and Zamalek star Akinyoola equalized for the hosts with a one-time  strike from a goal mouth scramble.

FC Ikpeba 1-1 FC Ipaye 

FC Ipaye withstood waves of FC Ikpeba attacks to claim a 1-1 draw.

Ayodele Isiah powered FC Ikpeba ahead from the penalty spot.

But Ipaye dominated the second half and scored a deserved equaliser through Biokpo MacLean's volley.

FC Ugbade 1-0 FC Dominic

Simon Cletus scored a 15th minute penalty to earn hosts FC Ugbade a 1-0 victory over FC Dominic.

Cletus converted his spot-kick after defender Osha Wasiu handled the ball in the box. 

Disciplined FC Ugbade stifled the visiting side's attacks and FC Dominic were toothless throughout the match.

The Nigeria Ex Internationals Cup, is proudly supported by leading gaming company, Bet9ja. 

Other partners are Owu, a foremost sportswear company in Nigeria, Brila FM, Mavlon FC, Mr. Olusola Akinlade, Liigi League, Olafiranye Sports Foundation and Mr. Mahmud Dawo

du.