Ogijo All Stars FC Emerge 2019 IDFA Easter Soccer Fiesta Champions

Kunle ADELABU & Marian AKINLOYE

The All Stars Football Club, Ogijo, have emerged winners of the third edition of the Ikorodu Divisional Football Association’s (IDFA) Easter Soccer Fiesta beating the LASPOTECH All Stars  FC 1 – 0 in an epic final match played on Monday, April 22, 2019.

The Ogijo team, which is a new entrant into the tournament, defeated their counterparts in an entertaining and keenly contested final match played at the String Tower Academy Arena at Oke Ota-Ona, Ikorodu.

Awards of excellence were presented to two outstanding individuals, Alhaji Kolawole Akinsanya and Alhaji Rabiu Aminu,, at the match for their contributions to the game of football in Ikorodu and beyond.

The first 10 minutes of the match was dominated by Ogijo All Stars FC before the LAPSOTECH team took control and outplayed the champions for most of the remaining minutes of the first half.

The second half of the match started on a high tempo as both teams strived to break the deadlock which characterized earlier matches played in the tournament, including the third place game, which all ended in penalty shootouts.

However, in the 56th minutes, one of the Ogijo All Stars players in Jersey number 8 took advantage of an area ball parried into his way by the LASPOTECH All Stars goalkeeper to give his team the only goal that decided the match.

The LASPOTECH team had the opportunity to draw level when they were awarded a penalty in the 30th minutes but the Ogijo All Stars goalkeeper pushed the ball and the resultant rebound was played against the bar.

The later part of the half witnessed lots of rough tackles and physical play as both teams tried to dominate the game and this resulted in injuries to the players of both teams while the centre referee also issued several cards to caution the players.

The Ogijo team nearly made it two goals towards the final seconds as their striker was put through on goal but was brought down by the LASPOTECH defender who was giving a second yellow card and a red card for the rough tackle.

In the third place match played earlier, Adamo All Stars beat Unique Fun All Stars who are the winners of the first  edition of the tournament.

The match ended goalless draw at the end of the regulation time and Adamo team won the resultant spot kicks by converting 4 while their opponents converted 3.

In his remarks at the final match, Alhaji Kolawole Fatai Ajigbeda, the Chief Executive Officer, De-Grooms Motors and Chairman of the occasion, commended Alhaji Kola Akinsanya, Alhaji Lookman Shonibare, Otunba Debo Ogunade and Prince Hakeem Olukunga for their contributions to the development of sports in Ikorodu division.

He lauded the talents and experience displayed by the veteran footballers in the tournament while also declaring his intention to start sponsoring a football team by next year to contribute to the development of soccer stars and the round leather game in Ikorodu division.

Meanwhile, Prince Hakeem Olukunga, Member, Governing Council, Lagos State Sports Commission, has appealed to the various All Stars Football Clubs in Ikorodu and beyond to support the initiative of the Ikorodu Divisional Football Association for better outing in subsequent football tournaments.

He also commended the level of professionalism displayed by the ex-internationals during the tournament while also commending the organizers for bringing experienced players and their families together every year through the tournament to compete and promote friendliness.