Dino SC, Beyond Limits rekindle rivalries at Lagos Supremacy Cup final

 

The 2024 Lagos Supremacy Cup final will feature the reigning champions Dino SC going head-to-head with the Viareggio Cup victors Beyond Limits at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Saturday morning. Kickoff is 9:50am Nigerian time.

In the third-place playoff, Charlesann will challenge 36 Lion. The match underway at 8am.

Teams competed fiercely on Friday, aiming to impress the scouts in attendance.

Here’s a recap of Day 3:

Dino SC 3-2 Ikorodu City

Despite a brace from Wisdom Ubani, Ikorodu City fell short, losing 3-2 to Dino SC. Dino SC finished at the top of Group A with 10 points out of a possible 12.

Seamoriow 1-1 FC Bethel

FC Bethel initially took the lead with a goal from Ojo Jordan, but Seamoriow equalized through Quadri Adewuyi, who found the far left corner.

Broad City 1-0 Real Sapphire

A 5th-minute goal from Terhide David was sufficient for Broad City to secure a narrow victory over Real Sapphire.

MS Success 0-3 Charlesann

Charlesann capitalized on a poor defensive performance from MS Success, with goals from Sunday Jones, Uche Jones, and Akolawole Lateef leading to a 3-0 triumph. With six points and a goal difference of +3, Charlesann awaited the outcome of the Beyond Limits vs FC Bethel match to determine their fate in Group B.

36 Lion 1-1 Ikorodu City 

Samson Akinyoola's late goal secured a well-deserved point for 36 Lion in their match against Ikorodu City. Ahmed Malik opened the scoring in the 45th minute, capitalizing on a rebound after goalkeeper Samuel Oriola saved his initial penalty attempt. This result allowed 36 Lion, in second place, to secure a playoff spot for third place with a total of seven points from four matches.

Beyond Limits Football Academy 1-1 FC Bethel 

In another thrilling encounter, Beyond Limits managed to draw 3-3 with FC Bethel, thanks to Abiodun Toheeb's equalizer in the 52nd minute. The match was action-packed from the start, with Akinsipe Amos scoring in the 18th minute. 

Ojo Jordan seemed to give Bethel the upper hand by scoring after a rebound from goalkeeper Daniel Aiyenugba. Toheeb's goal reignited hope for Beyond Limits, but Uchenna Marizu restored Bethel's two-goal lead shortly after. 

However, in a dramatic finish, Ogunniyi Oluwaseyi and Toheeb scored to level the match. The result was disappointing for FC Bethel, who finished third with six points (+2), while Beyond Limits topped the group with eight points from four matches.

Day 3 Results:

Dino SC 3-2 Ikorodu City

Seamoriow 1-1 FC Bethel

Broad City 1-0 Real Sapphire

MS Success 0-3 Charlesann

36 Lion 1-1 Ikorodu City

Beyond Limits Football Academy 3-3 FC Bethel

Optima Energy Gold Cup: FC Ebedei shocks Ikorodu City in Sagamu

 

FC Ebedei held on to a 1-0 win, as they handed newly-promoted Nigeria Premier Football League Ikorodu City a reality check in the ongoing Optima Energy Gold Cup preseason tournament on Sunday in Sagamu. 

It was an exciting match, as both sides were on the back foot of each other for most of the match at the FC Ebedei Stadium. 

The Oliseh Boys took a deserved, rather an unexpected lead after Ikechukwu Ologun deflected shot beats Ikorodu City goalkeeper in the 13th minute. 

Ten minutes later, the Oga Boys almost leveled the game but was denied by the wood work, as a Tosin Oyedokun long shot after taking on his maker, he rattled the goal for a goal kick. 

The second 45 minutes saw Ikorodu City throwing their arsenals in the game in search of an equalizing goal. They almost did in the 57 minute. 

Solomon Emmanuel took on his maker to set Adebayo Adewale up with pass, but the right back sent his inviting low cross to Tosin Oyedokun, whose final effort went wide.

Both goalkeepers were outstanding in the final two minutes of the game, providing some top class saves, as the Oliseh Boys defence held on to the lead cutting out the strike force of Ikorodu City from doing any damage. 

FC Ebedei will next face Shooting Stars in the Group B top of the clash for a spot in the Optima Energy Gold Cup semi-final.

NNL Playoffs: Coach Victor Okwologu upbeats about Inter Lagos' promotion chances

 

Assistant Coach of Inter Lagos FC, Victor Okwologu, expressed strong confidence that the club will secure a spot in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) next season.

Inter Lagos clinched a place in the promotion playoffs after a successful debut campaign in the Nigeria National League (NNL). 

The Lagos-based team confirmed their playoff berth with a decisive 2-0 victory over Ijebu United at the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

As the NNL Super 8 approaches, Okwologu stated, "We are fully prepared and confident in our abilities. The club will be ready for the challenge."

Highlighting the team's ambitions, he added, "Inter Lagos is aiming to play at the highest level. Our goal is clear: we want to compete in the NPFL and make our mark."

Okwologu, who holds a UEFA B License with the Scottish Football Association, noted the club's preparation and determination. "We have worked hard all season, and our focus and ambition remain unwavering. This is a significant opportunity for us, and we intend to seize it," he said.

Joining Inter Lagos in the Southern Conference for the playoffs are Ikorodu City, Madiba FC, and Beyond Limits FC. In the Northern Conference, Sporting Supreme of Abuja, Sokoto United, El Kanemi Warriors, and Nasarawa United have all qualified, having completed their matches weeks earlier.

The NNL Super 8, which will see four teams gain promotion to the NPFL, is scheduled to take place in Enugu from May 23 to 30.

Hajj Gafar thumbs quality of LSFA Preseason tourney

Vice Chairman, Lagos State Football Association (LSFA), Liameed Olawale Gafar, says he is satisfied with quality of games and organisation at the just concluded Pre-Season Tournament.  

The LSFA Technical Committee Chairman said it met expectations. 

"The LSFA Pre-Season lived up to expectations as participating teams built solid foundations for their fitness, agility and strength," Hajj Gafar told the Media.

"The whole concept was to discover talents capable of becoming household names in future. The talents on display really met expectations."

Tradesafe FC emerged champions after beating Ikorodu City in an entertaining final which was held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena. The game ended 2-2 in regulation time and Tradesafe won 11-10 in a marathon penalty shootout. 

An impressed Hajj  Gafar also spoke about the general performance of the teams and the quality of the tournament.

 "We noticed improvements in depths, technical ability, and optimum performances in a span of 5 days.

"The vision of the LSFA is to keep bringing on board innovations that promote and develop the grassroots. We are committed to fishing the stars of tomorrow.

"67 goals was scored and 5 clean sheets were recorded in 32 matches during the competition.  We are confident that favourable results shall be achieved in future competitions," Hajj Gafar added.

Meanwhile, in the third place match, Broad City defeated Spartans 6-5 on penalties after goalless  draw at the regulation  time.

Tradesafe received the sum of N500,000 with a giant trophy, while Ikorodu City got N100,000.