OGBOMOSO: Romeo defeat Galaxy 2-1 to lift maiden Yajifarz Cup

Image caption: Sponsor of the competition, Alhaji AbdulMajid Oladimeji Solademi, presents the trophy to the captain of the victorious team Romeo FC

OGBOMOSO: Romeo defeat Galaxy 2-1 to lift maiden Yajifarz Cup

Khalid ABRAHAM

Romeo Football Club have emerged the winner of the maiden edition of Yajifarz Foundation Cup competition.

The club defeated Galaxy FC 2-1 Sunday afternoon in a gruelling encounter at the Soun Stadium Ogbomoso.

The first half ended goalless with the two teams doing everything possible to draw the first blood though were extremely cautious to go all out and failed to convert their chances.

In the 8th minute of the second half however, Favour Olabode put Romeo ahead beating an offside trap. That goal gingered their opponent who stepped up their game carrying out raids deep into their half but all the efforts were thwarted particularly by the brilliant saves of Adisa Olivia, who is in goal for Romeo.

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Another break in the 33rd minute saw the winner putting in the second goal. Galaxy fought back gallantly and succeeded in securing an equaliser 3 minute from time. Tension soared at the stadium but Romeo put up a stout defence to maintain the lead. The game thus ended 2-1.

By the victory Romeo extended their dominance over Galaxy FC as they also beat them via penalty after 1-1 draw in the Babalaje Cup few months ago.

Earlier, Taraa Rovers triumphed over Mighty Crown FC after penalty shootout in the third place match. Mighty Crown lost three penalty kicks.

Ogundare Opeyemi of Galaxy FC was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament. A celebrated defender he is however said to have decided to hang his boots after about two decades of playing.

Favour Olabode of Romeo FC who opened scoring in the final encounter received the award of highest goal scorer.

The winner of the Best Goal of this tournament was Gabriel Paul of Galaxy FC. He recorded the remarkable goal in a semi final cracker.

Adisa Olivia of Romeo also was named the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament while Romeo FC coach Muritala Sheu Funtua picked the gong for Best Coach.

32 teams participated in the tournament from the five local government areas in Ogbomoso zone.

The competition was sponsored by Alhaji AbdulMajid Oladimeji Solademi, an Ogbomoso indigene based in Abuja. He is also the proprietor of Air Warriors Basketball Club Abuja. One of his former players, Murjanatu Musa, is a member of the triumphant Nigeria’s D’Tigress which last night beat Mali 75-64 to win the AfroBasket Women title at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

The businessman who attended the final alongside the Deputy President of the Nigerian All Sports Fan Association, Alhaji Musliu Alao Emiloju, reiterated in a chat with ogbomosoinsightonline.com that he was committed to contributing his quota to develop football in Ogbomoso through competitions to discover talents and expose them to international markets.

He also said his interest was sparked by the call of the Soun of Ogbomoso Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III to indigenes to rise towards investing in the city “so she can be transformed into a model domain. The Oba was in Abuja last year and he made an inspiring speech. That is why l instituted this tournament especially as it aligns with my father’s prompting in the past.”

His father, a retired senior Custom Officer, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Solademi, a k.a. Mentos the Gas, is a respected community leader in Ogbomoso.

Also in a chat the senior Solademi asserted, “We want football developed in Ogbomoso, for our young players to get to be helped to play abroad. We support Kabiyesi’s developmental plan.”

Olowode of Owode High Chief John Akinkunmi Areo, the chief organizer of the Yajifarz Football Competition praised the initiative of Alhaji AbdulMajid Solademi, submitting his “commitment, financially and morally, marks a significant move in football development in Ogbomosoland.”

He added, “Teams from the five local governments participated in the tournament. Alhaji AbdulMajid Solademi brought football scouts from Abuja and Lagos to assess the talents on display, l believe good things will come out from this. I thank my members too, the organising committee, who all played immense role in staging an interesting and successful tournament. To God be the glory.”