Kunle Adelabu
-It was God that saves 4 penalties, not me – Owo, Goalkeeper
The champions of the maiden edition of the Ikorodu Constituency II Unity Cup, Igbogbo All Stars FC Club, have attributed their success to the unity achieved over the long time they have been together as a team and understanding among the players.
Mr Tolulope Faniyi, the team Chairman of the Igbogbo team which won the final match of the tournament played at the Egbin Thermal PLC field on Sunday, 13 – 12 via penalties, revealed this in an interview with THE IMPACT, after the tension – soaked final game.
The team won the star prize of N500, 000, while three of its players also won individual prizes – Best Goal Keeper, Most Valuable Player (MVP) and the Highest Goal Scorer of the tournament.
“We actually envisaged winning the tournament and we were optimistic and worked towards it, but you know that in the game of football, you will go to the battle field with two mindsets, but most importantly, you must be optimistic and that is just what we did and that was what took us through the tournament.
“The final game was actually tension – soaked. The penalty shootouts were filled with so much tension and excitement above all. But at the end of the day, the best team won without taking anything away from the Makbet team – fantastic set of players; great players; great top players.
“What gave us the edge is our togetherness. It is the fact that we have been together for a long time. Also, the unity just like this tournament preaches and the camaraderie within us. Those are the factors that gave us the edge at the end of the day basically.
“We have been together as a team, but at the end, those little details – unity and the understanding, won the tournament for us”, he said.
While joining others in commending the initiator/sponsor of the tournament, the Igbogbo All Stars manager also prayed for him to continue to use his good office in bringing about developmental initiatives.
“This is a great initiative. Hon. Aro Moshood has actually taken this to the roof level and Almighty God will continue to preserve him to do more for this constituency.
“My prayer for him is that he will continue to have the wherewithal to do more for our constituency in terms of sports and general development.
“The organisers have done a great job, but no doubt that there are areas to work on, but they have done a great job organising this first edition”, he said.
Meanwhile, the team’s goal keeper, Seun Omolaja, popular called ‘Owo’, whom many adjudged to be the winner of the tournament, has attributed his spectacular performance during which he saved four penalties, to God.
“It’s not me but God. Before the final, I prayed to God that I must win this game. So, I was focused. It was all about God, and thank Him for today. It’s all about Him.
“I actually saved four penalties.
“From the beginning of the tournament, I was confident that we would win it and I stayed focused on that.
“I feel very happy and glad to have emerged as the Best Goalkeeper out of the 16 goalkeepers that participated in the team.
“I am very thankful to Hon. AMA for initiating this tournament, and I wish him a better tournament next year which I also look forward to participate in it”, he said.
