Chijioke Gabriel
Team Ogun’s men’s football team in the ongoing National Sports Festival on Sunday booked a place in the final after defeating the Golden Eaglets – competing under the Invited Junior Athletes initiative – 2-1 in a thrilling semi-final clash at the Ikene centre.
Ogun State will now face Kwara State on Tuesday at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex. Kwara State had advanced to the final with a 1-0 victory over Kaduna State in the first semi-final. The decisive moment came in the 62nd minute when Muhammed Abdullahi found the back of the net, ensuring Kwara’s progression.
In a keenly contested encounter, Team Ogun recovered from a goal down to overcome the Golden Eaglets, who fought valiantly but fell short.
The match ended 2-1 in favour of the hosts, much to the delight of the home supporters, who promised more support on Tuesday when the final is held in Abeokuta.
The stage is now set for an exciting showdown between Team Ogun and Kwara State, while the Golden Eaglets and Kaduna State will battle for bronze in the third-place match.
However, the case was not the same for Ogun State’s female football team, who faced the Flamingos competing under the IJA initiative, as they won 1-0 over the visitors. Shakirat Moshood’s penalty was the difference between the two sides.
The Flamingos will face Delta State, who beat their counterparts from Osun 4-1 in the first semi-final.
According to the organisers of the 22nd National Sports Festival, the men’s and women’s football finals have been moved to the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta.
