Recap

Lagos Liga 2024 Group C

Campos Memorial Mini Stadium

December 16, 2024, 3:00 PM

Golden Alchemy SC

Dominant Force FC

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Preview

Golden Alchemy produced an electrifying 4-2 victory over Dominant Force FC at the Campos Memorial Mini Stadium on Monday, 16 December 2024 to finish second in Group C of the inaugural Lagos Liga tournament and advance to the quarter-finals.

The Abuja-based side entered the match with momentum, having dismantled Spiritual Movement FC 4-0 in their previous outing. Needing a win to progress, Golden Alchemy delivered a commanding performance, navigating a dramatic contest filled with goals, skill, and moments of controversy.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The game kicked off at an electrifying pace, with Golden Alchemy taking the lead in the 5th minute when Jamilu Muhammad provided the decisive pass, setting up Sa’ad Ahmad to slot home the opener. However, the early advantage did little to settle the nerves, as the match soon took a chaotic turn.

Just three minutes after the goal, Amusa Samson picked up an unnecessary yellow card following a reckless challenge. His discipline issues worsened in the 16th minute when he dangerously raised his boot and caught Fashola Quowiy in the head, conceding a penalty in the process. Raji Ola stepped up and coolly converted the spot-kick, bringing Dominant Force level.

Raji’s celebration also proved costly for him, as he earned himself a yellow card for kicking the ball away after his shot had rippled the net, making him the most booked player of the tournament so far.

Golden Alchemy responded before the break, showing resilience in the face of Dominant Force’s pressure. In the 24th minute, Ibrahim Ahmad was the beneficiary of a well-placed assist from Yusuf Abubakar, slotting past the goalkeeper to re-establish his side’s lead.

That advantage was short-lived when Dominant Force hit back in the 29th minute, with Raji Ola once again proving his worth. The forward, who had already converted from the spot, exhibited his technical brilliance by curling in a superb effort from the edge of the box after receiving a clever layoff from Fashola Quowiy.

Golden Alchemy, however, wasted no time in reclaiming the lead. Seconds after Dominant Force had drawn level, substitute Yusuf Abubakar made an instant impact. Positioned on the right side of the opposition’s box, he connected beautifully with Jamilu Muhammad’s pass, striking an audacious half-volley that stunned the Dominant Force defence.

With Dominant Force struggling to regain control, Abubakar struck again in the 37th minute. This time, he defied the odds by drilling a powerful shot from an almost impossible angle, leaving the goalkeeper helpless and wrapping up the win for Golden Alchemy.

At the final whistle, Golden Alchemy had done enough to advance, collecting all three points and sealing their place in the quarter-finals. Despite a spirited effort, Dominant Force finished third in Group C and was eliminated, even though they managed to win a 2-0 penalty shootout after the game to claim an extra point.

Sadiq Dantata’s Golden Alchemy attacking display, led by the brilliance of Abubakar and Muhammad, ensures their journey in the Lagos Liga continues, while Bayo Akinde’s Dominant Force is left to reflect on what might have been.

MATCH STATISTICS

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

TEAM SHEETS

The post Dominant Force crumble as Abuja’s Alchemy strike gold in Lagos Liga appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.

Superstars FC forced Dominant Force FC to a 2-2 draw at the Mini Campus Stadium on Friday, 12 December 2024, before securing an extra point with a penalty shootout victory.

Dominant Force, who had won their opening game, aimed to extend their perfect run, while Superstars sought to build on their comeback victory from the previous match against Golden Alchemy.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The game began with early action as Dominant’s Gafari Toheeb fouled Samuel “Ripper” Oladepo at the edge of the box, handing Superstars an early opportunity. However, Dolapo’s resulting free-kick failed to trouble the Dominant defence.

Dominant responded in the 5th minute with a long-range effort from Abdulmumin Ahmad, but the shot went off target. Superstars continued to press, with Ripper creating another free-kick chance a minute later, though it was blocked.

Seven minutes into the game, Raji Ola showed his brilliance in yet another game, weaving past three defenders before unleashing a 20-yard shot that went wide. He continued to threaten the Superstars’ defence, forcing a clearance from Ripper moments later.

Superstars earned the first corner kick of the game in the 10th minute after Tomisin “Skaara” Alasiri’s shot deflected off Chukwuma. However, the resulting set-piece did not yield a breakthrough.

Mr. Bayo boys made an early substitution in the 12th minute, bringing on Goodluck Anuba for Stephen Akhimien but it was Superstar that pushed forward for a goal as Skaara struck the crossbar from a free-kick.

The deadlock was then broken in the 13th minute when Ripper set up Chukwuneme Justin, who arrived from deep to fire the ball into the net, giving Superstars the lead.

Dominant sought an immediate response, with Raji attempting a free-kick in the 14th minute, but his effort went wide again. Minutes later, Raji was instrumental in winning a penalty for his side after his header from Toheeb’s long throw was blocked by Adegbite Dolapo’s hand on the goal line. He calmly converted the spot-kick to level the score.

The second half saw both teams find the net again in an intense battle. Raji Ola put Dominant in front, only for Nathan Emuobome to equalise in the dying moments, ensuring the match ended in a four-goal thriller.

The match proceeded to a penalty shootout, where Raji Ola and Hakeem Onitolo converted their penalties for Dominant and Super Stars, respectively. Both teams remained locked in a tense battle until Uchenna’s spot-kick was saved by Eniola. Ripper, who had been pivotal for Superstars throughout the game, stepped up and sent Dominant goalkeeper Ojele Olumuyiwa the wrong way, sealing the victory for his side.

MATCH STATISTICS

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

TEAM SHEETS

The post Raji Ola’s heroics not enough for Dominant Force as Superstars earn last-minute equaliser, shootout win appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.

Recap

Lagos Liga 2024 Group C

Campos Memorial Mini Stadium

December 8, 2024, 3:00 PM

Dominant Force FC

Spiritual Movement FC

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Preview

Ahmad Abdulmumin and Raji Ola were on target at the Campos Memorial Mini Stadium as Dominant Force FC stunned Spiritual Movement in their opening Lagos Liga Group C encounter.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Maxwell Oguguo found James Nwachukwu with a well-weighted ball in the first minute of the encounter, but the Spiritual Movement player was unable to direct his header towards the goal. Both sides struggled to impose themselves on the game in the early stages, as they both had a fair share of possessions.

However, in the 12th minute of the game, Ahmad Abdulmumin scored a goal of the tournament contender to break the deadlock when the Dominant Force midfielder unleashed a fierce left-footed strike from way out after shrugging off Ogugo to give his team the lead.

Richard Okwashi made his first substitution of the game three minutes after taking the lead, with Fashola Quowiyu replacing Akhimien Stephen in the 15th minute. Three minutes later, it almost paid off as they came close to doubling their lead when Raji Ola nicked the ball off a Spiritual Movement player, moved past Oduwole Mustapha, and dragged his left-footed shot wide just before Oduwole received the first booking of the game for a foul on Raji.

Dominant Force who dominated large spells of the first half, made another substitution just before the referee signalled the end of the half when Paul Chukwuebuka was introduced to replace goalscorer, Abdulmumin.

The same substitution was reverted when Abdulmumin was brought on for Chukwuebuka at the start of the second half as Dominant Force looked to pull clear of their group C opponent. However, Spiritual Movement drew level just after the break with a well-worked team goal when Nwafor Nnamdi finished off his team’s fine move after the Dominant Force goalkeeper spilt Ekene’s initial shot.

Toheeb Gaffar was introduced for Daniel in the 22nd minute as Dominant Force FC looked to reclaim their lead. In the 25th minute, Raji fired a fierce shot into the Spiritual Movement block of defenders after being teed up by Fashola.

In the 29th minute, Raji squeezed in Dominant Force’s second goal at Sunday’s near post after Goodluck set him up just inside the box. The goal came seconds after Spiritual Movement missed a golden opportunity to take the lead at the other end.

The Spiritual Kachikwu boys kept asking questions of the Dominant Force defence as they sought the equalizer as Ernest unleashed a strike from Adebayo’s pass. The shot went off target, much to the relief of the Dominant’s goalkeeper.

With five minutes left on the clock, Ekene won a free-kick on the edge of the Dominant’s box after being tripped by an opponent. Kenechukwu Christopher struck the crossbar with the resultant free-kick as the goalkeeper hit the downside of his crossbar while trying to make a save.

Raji Ola received a booking in the last minute of stoppage time for a foul on Nnamdi. At the end of regulation time, Dominant Force saw out their slim lead to claim all three points at the Campos Memorial Mini Stadium. However, Spiritual Movement won the penalty shootout 3-2 to claim the extra one point. The result means Dominant Force FC becomes the first side to lose a penalty shootout after claiming all three points in regular time.

MATCH STATISTICS

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

TEAM SHEETS

The post Abdulmumin, Raji on target as Dominant Force defeats Spiritual Movement in group C encounter appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.

Recap

Lagos Liga 2024 Group C

Campos Memorial Mini Stadium

December 6, 2024, 5:00 PM

Superstar FC

Golden Alchemy SC

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Preview

Samuel “Ripper” Oladepo scored twice to help Super Star FC defeat Golden Alchemy 3-2 in their opening Group C match at the inaugural Lagos Liga played at the Campos Memorial Mini Stadium.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Ripper broke the deadlock in the 11th minute after converting from Onitolo Hakeem‘s pass. Despite going behind halfway into the first half. Golden Alchemy pressed for an equalizer and got their reward in the 20th minute when Ramsey Mohammed teamed up with Ahmad Ibra to draw themselves level just before the break.

Golden Alchemy finally took the lead in the 29th minute when Ahmad Ibra assisted his teammate to find the back of the net. However, it only took the Lagos-based team, three minutes before Oladepo scored his second of the evening from an Okpara Matthew assist to restore parity.

In the 39th minute, Super star FC scored the third goal to complete a well deserved comeback. Substitute Skarra Alasiri, assisted again by Okpara Matthew, scored the game’s winner to ensure that Super star FC make a winning start to their Lagos Liga campaign.

At the end of 40 minutes, both teams went into a penalty shootout for a chance to earn a bonus point. Golden Alchemy failed to convert their first two spot kicks as Super Star ran out 2-0 winners.

The result leaves Golden Alchemy rooted to the bottom of Group C with zero points and a negative goal difference while Super Star stay top of the group with 4 points ahead of Dominant Force FC and Spiritual movement FC who are yet to play.

MATCH STATISTICS

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

TEAM SHEETS

The post Ripper strikes twice as Superstar rip Golden Alchemy’s hopes in Lagos Liga comeback win appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.