Kunle Adelabu
Teslim Thunder Balogun FC, on Sunday, March 1, 2020, beat NTAB FC in an interesting final match to emerge winners of the 11th edition of the annual Bolowotan football tournament.
Teslim Thunder Balogun FC won the prize money of N150, 000 after beaten their opponents 1-0 to emerge the champions.
The match was played at the Police Barracks Playing Ground, Igbogbo road, Ikorodu on Sunday, March 1, 2020.
The second place team went away with N100, 000, while the 3rd and fourth place teams received N70, 000 and N35, 000 respectively.
The final match kicked off at 4.40pm with Teslim Baogun FC controlling the most part of the game and their efforts paid off at 4.45pm when their player, Lawal Waheed in Jersey number 11 scored a brilliant goal to put them ahead. The goal eventually proved decisive as it was the only goal of the exciting match.
Players of the NTAB FC later grown fully into the match as both teams displayed good football artistry creating several chances but unable to convert them.
The biggest goal attempt came the way of Teslim Balogun FC in the 19th minute of the second half when the most creative player on the pitch, Ubani volleyed a long shot that almost resulted into second goal but the NTAB goalkeeper, who was far away from the goal post recovered quickly to prevent the ball from going into the net and sustained a serious injury in the process, leading to his substitution.
The centre referee, Adekoya Warit, a young man, gave good account of himself as he officiated the match with utmost professionalism while Prince Ayodeji Odedina, popularly called ‘Ay flow’ held the mammoth crowd of guests and spectators spellbound with his informed and analytical commentary.
Among the guests that graced the final match were Mr Oluwatoyn Gafaar, the Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission and the sole sponsor of the annual Bolowotan football tournament, Mrs Yemisi Cole Orelesi, member Lagos Sports Commission, Mr Oloyede, ex-Stationery Stores player, Otunba Debo Ogunade, a football promoter, Alhaji Luqman Shonibare, Chairman, Ikorodu Divisional Football Association, Chief Orelesi, Coach and Chieftain of the Ikorodu Divisional Football Association, Prince Jimoh Ogunmuyiiwa, former Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA and former State Chairman, Lagos State Referee Society, and Alhaji Saheed Ayeni, the match Commissioner among others.
In the third place match played earlier, Sharon FC beat Ultimate Villa FC 5-4 in penalty shootouts after the match ended 2-2 at the end of the regulation time.
Sharon FC converted all their five spot-kicks while Ultimate only scored 4.
The Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr Oluwatoyin ‘Bolowotan’ Gafaar, was presented with an Excellence award by the Ikorodu Football Referee Society for his immense contribution to sports development in the state.
The Society also unveiled its official calendar for 2020.
Meanwhile, organisers of the tournament have announced that the sales of forms for the 12th edition of the annual football tournament have commenced while the main competition would kick-off on Thursday, March 5, and the final match coming up in April.
