Recap

Lagos Liga 2024 Quarter-finals

Mobalaji Johnson Arena

December 20, 2024, 3:00 PM

Applebee FC

Mavbrooks SC

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Preview

Applebee FC delivered a statement performance at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Friday, 20 December 2024, overwhelming Mavbrooks FC with a commanding 4-0 victory to advance to the semi-finals of the Lagos Liga.

Despite a goalless first half, Applebee FC exploded into life in the second period, netting four unanswered goals to underline their title credentials.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The match began with Applebee showing early intent, dictating possession and pressing high up the pitch. Mavbrooks, however, remained well-organised defensively and looked to exploit counter-attacking opportunities.

Applebee carved out a few early half-chances but struggled to find the finishing touch. Their captain, David Onuche, tried to orchestrate play from midfield, but Mavbrooks’ defence stayed compact, forcing their opponents to take shots from distance.

The Oyikolo-led team, meanwhile, had their moments on the break but lacked the final pass to truly trouble Applebee’s backline. The closest they came was in the 17th minute, when a long-range effort from Hassan Abdulrahman forced a routine save from the Applebee FC goalkeeper Samuel Eneh.

As the first half wore on, Applebee’s dominance in possession grew. They completed 90% of their passes and looked the more likely side to score, yet Mavbrooks’ resilience kept the game scoreless heading into the break.

The second half painted a completely different picture, as the Nnazilim Egbonu boys finally found their rhythm and took complete control of the game.

The breakthrough arrived in the 27th minute when Onuche latched onto a well-placed pass from Sodiq Folorunsho before rifling home a composed finish to put his side ahead.

Once the deadlock was broken, Applebee FC did not look back. Their confidence surged, and they doubled their lead in the 33rd minute through Favour Anieke, who finished off a clever assist from Ramon Ishola.

Mavbrooks, rattled by the two quickfire goals, struggled to regain composure. Applebee kept up the pressure, and in the 39th minute, Famous Adewale got on the scoresheet, finishing off another assist from Ishola to extend the lead to 3-0.

The icing on the cake arrived in the final minute of normal time when Anthony Badejo fired home a fourth goal, with Onuche turning provider this time, capping off a dominant second-half performance.

Applebee’s dominance was not just reflected in the scoreline but also in the match statistics. They enjoyed 56% possession, completed 90% of their passes (154/171), and won six corners.

Mavbrooks, by contrast, struggled to make an impact offensively. They finished with 44% possession, an 85% pass accuracy (121/142), and crucially, failed to win a single corner throughout the match.

With the victory, Applebee became the first-ever team to qualify for the semi-finals of the Lagos Liga. Their second-half performance sent a strong message to the remaining contenders, establishing them as a force to be reckoned with as the competition enters its final stages.

MATCH STATISTICS

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

TEAM SHEETS

The post Applebee dismantle Mavbrooks with second-half goal blitz to reach Lagos Liga semi-finals appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.

Recap

Lagos Liga 2024 Group A

Campos Memorial Mini Stadium

December 14, 2024, 5:00 PM

Koko FC

Applebee FC

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Preview

Applebee confirmed their place in the quarterfinals of the Lagos Liga with a commanding 7-0 victory over Koko FC in the final match of Group A at the Campos Memorial Mini Stadium on Saturday, 14 December 2024.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Both sides started cautiously, probing for openings. Applebee struck first in the 4th minute through a well-taken free kick by centre-half Favour Anieke, whose effort flew past Koko FC goalkeeper Ogundipe Emmanuel into the back of the net.

Koko almost responded in the 8th minute when Kayode Adedeji chested down a pass before firing a shot, but his effort failed to trouble Applebee goalkeeper Eneh Samuel. Applebee doubled their lead in the 11th minute as Famous Adewale tapped in from close range following a fine buildup play orchestrated by David Onuche.

Two minutes later, Precious Ogunyase made it 3-0 with a long-range strike after another assist from Onuche. Koko’s goalkeeper was called into action again in the 16th minute, making a crucial save to deny Onuche from adding to the tally.

Anieke, who had already scored, came close again before finally adding his second in the 20th minute with a stunning shot from the edge of the box, once again assisted by Onuche.

Applebee maintained their attacking momentum, and in the 29th minute, Obani increased the scoreline to 5-0 after weaving past Koko defenders before slotting the ball into the left corner. Onuche provided yet another assist, bringing his tally to three.

Adewale scored his second of the match in the 35th minute to make it 6-0. In the final minute of the game, Michael Tomisona completed the rout, finishing off a pass from Onuche, who had made a driving run from defence. Onuche ended the game with four assists.

Applebee then won the post-match penalty shootout 2-0, extending their lead at the top of group A and securing their place in the quarterfinals of the inaugural Lagos Liga tournament.

MATCH STATISTICS

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

TEAM SHEETS

The post David Onuche orchestrates Applebee’s seven-goal demolition of D’Banj’s Koko FC appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.

Recap

Lagos Liga 2024 Group A

Campos Memorial Mini Stadium

December 13, 2024, 3:00 PM

Jarus FC

Applebee FC

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Preview

Jarus FC endured another setback in the Lagos Liga as Applebee come from behind to earn a 4-2 win in their matchday 5 clash at Campos Memorial Mini Stadium on Friday, 13 December 2024.

Despite an explosive start from Jarus FC, Applebee’s dominance proved too much as they overturned an early deficit to strengthen their position at the top of Group A.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The match began in spectacular fashion with Jarus scoring the fastest goal in Lagos Liga history. Within 13 seconds, Lukmon “Casilas” Shittu delivered a dangerous ball into the box, which Temple Akire converted with a simple tap-in to hand his side the perfect start and register their first-ever Lagos Liga goal.

Buoyed by the early breakthrough, Jarus pressed forward in search of a second. In the 8th minute, Casilas found Enoch Namene on the right side of the Applebee penalty area, but the midfielder’s effort sailed wide. Moments later, Casilas, who has been at the heart of every Jarus attack, set up Temple for another attempt, but his shot flew high over the crossbar.

Applebee responded emphatically, drawing level in the 10th minute when Sodiq Folorunso’s powerful shot was parried by Afeez, but Raymond Ishola reacted quickest to slot home the rebound.

Just two minutes later, Segun Badejo delivered a pinpoint cross from the right flank, which Michael Tomisona met with a thumping header to give Applebee the lead.

Applebee quickly took control of proceedings, dictating play in midfield through captain David Onuche and Precious Ogunyase. The latter made his impact count in the 14th minute, unleashing a well-struck shot from outside the penalty area to extend Applebee’s lead to 3-1.

Jarus FC struggled to cope with Applebee’s dominance, and in the 19th minute, the table-toppers exhibited their tactical awareness by playing out from the back before launching a swift counterattack. However, Badejo’s final shot was blocked.

The second half saw Applebee extend their lead with a well-worked team goal in the 22nd minute. Ohiri and Onuche combined brilliantly on the edge of the box, exchanging quick passes before Ohiri played a return ball into the path of Onuche, who finished with a simple left-footed strike into an empty net.

Jarus FC attempted to mount a response in the 25th minute, but Enoch’s left-footed effort was comfortably gathered by Applebee goalkeeper Eneh Samuel. Applebee remained in control, coming close to a fifth goal in the 31st minute when Onuche tested Afeez with a powerful strike after receiving a layoff from Ogunyase. Seconds later, Afolabi Samad dispossessed a Jarus FC defender but failed to direct his shot on target.

Jarus FC pulled a goal back through Gaza’s superb direct free-kick after he was fouled by Ohiri on the left-hand side of the attack. With the score at 4-2, Applebee sought to restore their three-goal advantage, but Obani’s shot from the edge of the area in the 36th minute drifted wide.

In the final moments of the match, Afeez produced two excellent saves to prevent Applebee from adding to their tally. However, at the end of regular time, Jarus FC were left to rue their defensive lapses as they fell to their second defeat of the tournament.

Despite their loss, Jarus FC earned their first-ever Lagos Liga point with a 4-3 penalty shootout victory. The result sees Applebee extend their lead at the top of Group A with 6 points, three ahead of Krypton FC, who sit second with 4 points and a +3 goal difference. Koko FC occupy third place with 4 points and a -3 goal difference, while Jarus FC remain bottom with 1 point and a -3 goal difference.

MATCH STATISTICS

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

TEAM SHEETS

The post Lagos Liga: Applebee outclass struggling Jarus FC to strengthen grip on Group A appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.