Favour 1-1 Real Inter (10-9): Iberekodo boys prevails in penalty showdown to reach EYFC final
Recap
Muda Lawal Stadium, Abeokuta
Favour
Real Inter
(Made In Africa Sport) – Favour sealed their place in the Egba Youth Football Championship (EYFC) final for the first time after battling through a 10-9 penalty shootout in a gut-wrenching semi-final clash with Real Inter.
Having registered four wins and a draw in their five games in the 2024 EYFC, the Iberekodo Boys entered the semi-final full of confidence in pursuit of their first final appearance in three attempts.
They faced a Real Inter side that had kept clean sheets in three of their last four games, including a 3-0 walkover win over Jimalok in the group stage.
After easing their way into the contest, Favour created a golden opportunity to take the lead shortly before the half-hour mark, but Saheed Banbe could only direct his effort straight into the arms of Bolu Odebiyi.
Favour continued to look the more threatening of the two sides with half-time approaching, but it was the Power Boys of Oke Mosan that almost took the lead twice. Soliu Salaudeen had to be alert in the Favour goal to expertly divert strikes from Shehu Fasasi and Rasheed Sanni around the post.
Grateful for that reprieve, Abdul Rasheed Akala’s men used the interval to their advantage and emerged after the restart with renewed focus. However, Yusuf Akinpelu shot wastefully over the bar from inside the six-yard box.
Stealing the ball yet again in the opposition area, Favour mounted an attack on the right flank. Hamzat Ayoola‘s cross found Abdulbaki Adeyemi, and the midfielder tucked home under the body of Bolu Odebiyi to give Akala’s side a crucial lead.
Undeterred, Inter knew a swift response was needed with time ticking into the final 25 minutes, and Hammed Shodipo came within inches of finding an equaliser when his powerful strike from the edge of the box flashed narrowly wide of the far post.
Parity was restored in the 50th minute, but not without drama. Lucky David was fortunate not to have been penalised for a foul after throwing his arm in the face of Akinpelu, but the referee did not stop play. David moved the ball further into Favour’s goal area before pinpointing a pass to Sunday Afisu, who converted with a tap-in.
Both teams did little to nothing in the finale, playing cautiously to avoid conceding a goal, and the game ended all square.
Both teams scored their first three spot-kicks respectively, and Bolu Odebiyi and Soliu Salaudeen both saved from Yusuf Akinpelu and Lucky David, respectively, to leave the game all square.
Another three straight kicks were scored by both teams, while Kazeem Akintunde narrowly missed the target. Rasheed Sanni stepped up to score and give his team the victory but unfortunately, he also played it wide to leave the score level.
The ensuing sudden death phase saw a seesaw battle. After both goalkeepers scored their respective kicks, Lekan Babatunde scored for the second time while Salaudeen picked the right spot to stop Steven John‘s kick, sending Favour into Sunday’s showpiece against Joju Fadairo Babes.
Results
| Club | 1st Half | 2nd Half | Goals | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Favour | 0 | 1 | 1 | 44 |
| R. Inter | 0 | 1 | 1 | 56 |
TEAM SHEETS
