By :Sunday Agunbiade
It was a smooth jolly ride for Shooting Stars Football Club of Ibadan at the final of Governor Seyi Makinde Pre- Season Tournament held at Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan,beating Housing Corporation 4-0
The first twenty minutes was a ding dong affairs between the two sides with a visibly rejuvenated Housing corporation giving Shooting Stars a run for their money only for a former Golden Eaglets Shot stopper, Olaide Okanlawon to maintain a scoreline for the Ibadan Soccer Lords
The Ilerika tutored side were initially much adventurous but lost grips with failed incursions at different ovcasions. The 2020/2021 NNL Highest goal scorer, Gafar Olafimihan broke the deadlock at 22 minutes of the encounter before Malomo Taofeek doubled the lead at 37 minutes. The situation remains the same to end of the first half
The second half illicit huge reaction from fans of Housing but Oluyole Warriors matched up to the challege as former Niger Tornadoes pointman, Odeyemi Ebenezer increased the tally before Seyi Okeowo completed the rout for Ibadan Soccer Lord making it 4-0
Ilaji FC emerged third place winners after defeating Ogbomoso zonal football Association by three goals to one. The situation that compensated their Semi final efforts against the eventual winners, Shooting Stars having played three all draws before losing on 2-4 on penalty shoot out
Chairman, Oyo State Football Association, Oba James Ọdẹníran (Alakinyele of Akinyele) appreciated the Executive Governor of the state, His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde for his support towards the success of the pre season tournament. He expressed happiness for the hitch free competition that lasted 6 days for twelve teams in 20 match fixtures
“I’m much delighted today and I like to thank the Almighty God for the success of this tournament. Also, the sports loving Governor,His Excellency,Engineer Seyi Makinde for his gesture. The Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports,Asiwaju Seun Fakorede, Chairman Sports council, Honourable Gbenga Arole , Chairman Civil Service Commission, Alhaji Kamorudeen Aderibigbe ,Executive members, board members and sports loving people of Oyo State
Awards and medals were presented to the most valuable players on each of the twenty matches while overall MVP was given to the Oke Ogun United wizkid, Mustapha Jawad. The outstanding Goalkeeper of the tournament went to Laide Okanlawon while the highest goal scorer award was received by Akilu Mohammed (with four goals). First and last scorer of the tournament were awarded to Funmbi Adebamowo, Young stars) and 3SC, Seyi Okeowo in that order.
