Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee of the 13th edition of the Prince GAS Cup, Prince Gbadamosi Adebola Sulaimon has expressed appreciation to the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of Joju Oil & Gas and other VIPs who graced the soccer tournament’s final on Monday, 27 December, 2021.
Super Accurate were crowned champions of the grassroot football event after they defeated Maradona FC of Agbado 8-7 in a thrilling penalty shootout at the proposed Palace Ground (Sansan Field) in Igando, a suburb of Lagos State.
With the game ending in a stalemate, both teams then needed the lottery of spot-kicks to claim the ultimate prize. Super Accurate had their goalie Nathaniel Apala to thank after he stopped two of Maradona FC penalties and scored one. His heroic display then earned him the championship Best Goalkeeper award.
Recalled that Super Accurate had ridden on lady luck from the Round of 16. Despite being eliminated by Bright Star FC of Ejigbo who beat them 3-1, the new champions were reinstated back to the tourney by the LOC after Bright Stars were thrown out from the Prince GAS Cup for using an unregistered player, following a protest.
In the quarter and semi-finals, goalkeeper Akpala and his teammates were fantastic as they were accurate with their spot-kicks. They shocked favourites Balo FC 6-5 on penalties and did the same against Future Stars, beating them 5-4 after both matches had ended in a barren draw.
A delightful Prince Gbadamosi said: “I want to especially thank Mr Muhammed Malik of Joju Oil & Gas and other very important persons who made out time from their busy schedules to attend the grand finale and their supports towards the Prince GAS Cup.
“Congratulations to the winners and all the teams that took part in the two-month soccer fiesta which is geared to foster unity among the youths in Alimosho and of course, to keep them away from social vices in our society.
“I urged all the players that took part in the tournament, to be worthy ambassadors of one of the biggest local government councils in Nigeria.
“I want to use this medium to urge the new Igando-Ikotun Local Government Development Area (LCDA) boss, Comrade Akinsanya Lasisi Ayinde to use grassroot football to unite the youths in his domain by regularly organizing championships.
“Also corporate Nigeria should not be left out as government can not do it alone, private firms should see it as Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) by hosting football competitions for youths across all levels.”
Abiola Razak of Super Accurate took home the Best Coach award while the Most Behaved Coach award went to Oritogun Sulaimon of Maradona FC.
Seven goal Surajudeen Akande of Maradona FC won the Golden Boot award, Fawas of Danny Football Club was named Young Best Player while the Most Valuable Player award went to Daniel Job of Super Accurate Football Club.
