Beyond Limits' Olumide hails Optima Energy Gold Cup organizers with SofaScore innovation

 

The idea of the organizers of 2024 Optima Energy Gold Cup to have their games stream on popular SofaScore Application has been commended by the Head Coach of Beyond Limits, Ajibolade Olumide. 

Recall before the kickoff, Optima Energy Gold Cup has announced SofaScore as its official technical partner. 

Sofascore, owned and developed by Croatia based tech company SofaIT, will in the next three years, starting from 12th edition to collect and analyse match data to the millions of global users of the Sofascore app, of teams and players taking part in the nation's sought-after off-season football tournament. 

"I think the positive of the 12th edition is the fact that games were now live on the SofaScore app," Olumide said. 

"I have not been around since the tournament started, but I was able to follow the games in detail. 

"Even before the tourney started, the schedule was already up on the app, which was really freshing to see, so it's a positive development. 

"However, the football is still the same, the quality is there so we appreciate the fact that quality teams still grace the tournament and hopefully in subsequent seasons, we keep having proper teams and we keep having a good tournament."

Beyond Limits, who became the second team to make a back-to-back final, will battle Shooting Stars for the off season's biggest accolade on Saturday at the Remo Stars International Stadium, with 3pm as kick-off time.

"Our objective is always to compete", Beyond Limits coach speak ahead of Optima Energy Gold Cup final

 

Head Coach of Beyond Limits Academy, Ajibolade Olumide has said that retaining the Optima Energy Gold Cup against Shooting Stars in the final will be a bonus to his side, as his lads are ready to to learn, compete against the best.

Both teams clash in Saturday's finale of the 12th edition of the nation's off-season football tournament billed for the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State. 

His thoughts ahead of the tantalizing clash after Beyond Limits edged FC Ebedei in the first semis on Thursday. 

"The objective is to learn and compete, Shooting Stars should give us a good game for the boys to take the lessons. We're happy. 

"I've never gone to a tournament thinking I have to win, it's never in the back of my mind, and of course people say that's a lie because we win everything. 

"Our objective is always to compete, and if we win, it's a bonus. We have to ensure the lads play well and improve, and if we win again on Saturday, it's just another trophy, and we're happy for that."

On the tough and close game against FC Ebedei, "I don't think our semi-final game was difficult just because we won with a one goal margin, however the opposition was very physical, a lot duels and intensity pressing, organization with bodies behind the ball. 

"And off course, we expected that when we know, as no team wants us to have space behind, so we keep probing trying to find the options to play around them and eventually we get a break through. 

"By and large I think the organization from FC Ebedei was good but we were not just able to have in our one by one, may be it's preseason, so we have a lot to work on. 

"Nothing different from what we actually do, it's preseason so we would then compete and hopefully we'll be able to field a lot more players, so they can get the needed minutes as they prepare for other competitions that's ahead of us. So nothing special, just our normal approach of excellence."

NPFL Promotion: Optima Energy Gold Cup applauds Beyond Limits

 

Organizers of the prestigious pre-season football tourney for clubs in the nation's three-tier league divisions, Optima Energy Gold Cup has showered emcomiums on newly promoted Nigeria Premier Football League club Beyond Limits FA. 

The fast-rasing Ikenne-based football academy made history in Nigeria domestic football became the first academy side to earn promotion from the Nationwide League One (NLO), to the Nigeria National League and to the NPFL within the space of three season. 

General Coordinator of the Optima Energy Gold Cup, Tunde Shamsudeen told the tourney's Media Channel. 

"Congratulations to Honourable Kunle Soname, whose vision and passion for football development in Nigeria, can't be measured looking at the huge investment in Beyond Limits and Remo Stars. 

"For everything that starts from a great beginning, always ends with success. Within five years, Beyond Limits, who are reigning Optima Energy Gold Cup kings, are a household name and a brand that plays magnificent football. 

"We are proud that the Optima Energy Gold Cup platform galvanized the team to be a force in the NNL than just make up the numbers. 

"Beyond Limits growth from the NLO to NPFL is not rocket science, but came about years of hardwork, dedication and putting the right pegs in right holes. 

“As football pundits would say, the game of football belongs to the players but heavy is the head that carries the crown.

"Kudos to the coaching staff of the football academy, led by Golden Eaglets assistant coach, Olumide Ajibolade. 

"Olumide, whose football philosophy is geared towards transforming raw talents to finished products, wowed every fan with his team's play. 

As his lads were fearless in Enugu, pushed top teams in both the regular season and play-off to their limits and got the job done by winning the top prize via a thrilling finale and spots kicks against former NPFL top guns and FA Cup champions Nasarawa United. 

"We hope this triumph will take them many places, as we urged Beyond Limits not to rest in its oars to achieving greater things."

Olumide Ajibolade talks up Beyond Limits' chances against Ijebu United at Optima Energy Gold Cup final

After watching his Beyond Limits go past Niger Tornadoes 3-1 for a place in the final, an ecstatic Olumide Ajibolade is sure his lads can beat Ijebu United for their first Optima Energy Gold Cup silverware.

All thanks to Coach Olumide's and his backroom staff, Beyond Limits who have been exceptional with their brilliant team play and eye-catching football are the only team yet to taste defeat in the 11th edition of the preseason tournament.

Olumide, a UEFA C licensed, MBP certified methodologist, who also holds an NIS Diploma and Coerver Youth Diploma, likes to be perfect with his job, uses effective tactics to overwhelm his rivals, teaches, and defines a clear direcion for his players during matches.

Speaking to Optima Energy Gold Cup Media Channel after reaching the final on third attempt, "We are in a very good reign of form at the moment and the boys have reached a level of maturity, that they were learning in previous editions.

"So what they have displayed coming this far is a sign of an evolution they have had in the past two editions of the Optima Energy Gold Cup.

"For Beyond Limits, it's going to be another game and final. I like finals because they bring about a different stimulus and puts a bit of pressure on the players, which is good for their development.

"We will compete for sure, but there's a lot of tiredness in the team now, as it's almost nine matches in 14 days and it's almost impossible to get the best out of the players.

"That's no excuse for Beyond Limits, as we're going to come out and looking forward to Ijebu United in the final as we're going to be ready."