At last, Itesiwaju Rangers F.C. of Otu wins 2017 Cup

At last the final of the 2017 Oyo State Speaker’s Football Club Competition which was hitherto postponed has been played.

Lekan Salami Adamasingba Stadium Ibadan Oyo State Nigeria was shaken to its foundation on Tuesday when Itesiwaju Rangers Football Club of Otu came from 2-0 goals down to a 2-2 draw and later won by 5-3 goals of penalty shootout against Ibarapa East Football Club of Eruwa to claim the first position in the 1st Edition of Oyo State 2017 Speaker’s Football Cup Competition organized by Oyo State Football Association and sponsored by Rt. Honourable Adesina Michael Adeyemo; the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly. Eight Football Clubs from nooks and crannies of Oyo State participated.

Itesiwaju Rangers Football Club claimed the final slot after a protest it made against Debby Football Club of Ogbomoso after a Semi final match played between both teams at Lekan Salami Adamasingba Stadium Ibadan, Nigeria.

During the said semi-final match, Debby Football Club defeated Itesiwaju Rangers of Otu by 6 goals to 3 of penalty shootouts after 1- 1 draw at regulation time.

After Itesiwaju Rangers Football Club protest, the match was awarded to Itesiwaju Rangers Football Club because Debby Football Club fielded two ineligible Players named Oyetunji Mayowa and Adekunle Habeeb.

They alleged that Oyetunji Mayowa had played for Atiba Utd Football Club of Oyo in 2013 Nigeria Nationwide League Season contrary to the rules governing the 2017 Speakers Cup competition. On Adekunle Habeeb, they alleged that he had played for Vela Football Club of Oyo in 2012 Nigeria Nationwide League season also contrary to the 1st Rule for the 2017 Oyo State Speaker’s Cup which says “The competition was open to all players who had not played in any of the Nigerian Football Federation Leagues (Federation Cup Excluded)”.

Itesiwaju Rangers F.C. won the petition against Debby F.C. of Ogbomoso who was additionally fined to pay N50,000. (US$138.88)

Meanwhile, at the second semifinal competition, Ibarapa East Football Club of Eruwa defeated Golden Lion Football Club of Kisi by 1 goal to 0 at the same venue. The final match was thus set between Itesiwaju Rangers F.C. of Otu and Ibarapa East Football Club of Eruwa.

The match started at exactly 4:00pm. Both teams were tactical, skillful and sturdy, with brilliant engagements. The match was so entertaining such that all the spectators witnessed the two outstanding, gifted and promising finalists till the end of the game.

At exactly 32 minutes of the game, a mid-fielder from Ibarapa East Football Club lobbed a pass just over the defenders of Itesiwaju Rangers F.C. into the middle of the 18 yard box and this was converted into a beautiful goal by Ibarapa East Football Club striker to make the score 1-0.

In the 45 minutes of the game the Central Referee blew the half time whistle and the score line remained 1-0 in favour of Ibarapa East Football Club of Eruwa.

During the second half of the game, it was Ibarapa East Football Club again, they came into the game refreshed and stronger especially in the attack and they got the second goal at the exactly 53 minutes of the game to make the score line 2-0.

Shortly after Ibarapa East F.C. second goal, Itesiwaju Ranger F.C. struck back to get a goal and the score line turned into 2-1 at exact 58 minutes of the game.

 

Above: Honourable Michael Adeyemo, Speaker Oyo State House of Assembly and the Captain of Itesiwaju Rangers Football Club, both holding the Champion’s Cup after the match.

At the 91 minutes of the game Itesiwaju Ranger Football Club got a free kick at the edge of the 18 yard box and it was successfully played into the goal post of Ibarapa East Football Club and attempt was made to deflect it by a defender from Ibarapa East but it eventually rolled into the net. The score line turned into 2-2.

The final whistle was blown at the 93rd minute of the game and both teams were set for penalty shootout. And at the end of the day, Itesiwaju clinched the win of the competition by defeating Ibarapa East Football Club 5-3 after

Above: Itesiwaju Rangers Football Club boys celebrating their win of Oyo State 2017 Speaker’s Football Cup Competition.penalty shootouts.

 

Some players were awarded for their outstanding performances in the tournament. Ibrahim Akeem of Ibarapa East Football Club went home with the most valuable player and was decorated by Abdul-fatai Adesina Chairman House Committee on Sports of Oyo State House of Assembly. Akande Oyewole of Ibarapa East Football Club went home with the Best Goalkeeper award and was decorated by Gboyega Makinde. Ridwan Lasisi of CRIN Football Club went home with the Highest Goal Scorer award and was decorated by Barrister Jubril Arowolo.

The champion Itesiwaju Rangers F.C. of Otu went home with the Champion’s cup and an undisclosed monetary prize, the second Ibarapa East F.C. went home with the silver medal while in the third position was the Golden Lion Football Club of Kisi whose boys were not present to receive for the bronze medal.

 

By Ademola Oladele

PublicTimes http://publictimes.com.ng ISSN 2250-9259

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