The Land of Goshen Parish Football Club, Lagos, has etched its name in history as the winner of the 2024 SBJ Oshoffa Football Tournament.
In a nail-biting finale at the prestigious event, they clinched the gold cup with a dramatic 9-8 penalty shootout victory over defending champions Opopo Onaiwamimo FC, after regulation time ended in a tense goalless stalemate.
The final, held amid a lively crowd and spirited support, showcased the grit and determination of both teams.
Land of Goshen’s resilience in the penalty shootout was the defining factor that earned them the coveted title and the tournament’s new trophy.
Land of Goshen’s journey to glory was anything but easy.
They edged out Last Boat of Salvation, Abeokuta, in a 4-2 penalty shootout after another goalless encounter in the quarterfinals.
Their semifinal clash with defending champions Opopo Onaiwamimo was equally intense, ending 0-0 before Land of Goshen triumphed once again in a penalty shootout.
Earlier in the day, Opopo Onaiwamimo Ikorodu redeemed some pride by securing the bronze medal with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Salvation Global FC in the third-place match.
Opopo Onaiwamimo had also faced penalty drama in the quarterfinals, defeating Sharon FC 4-1 after a 1-1 draw.
Salvation Global’s path to the semifinals saw them narrowly beat Lagos South West Province 1-0, only to fall short against Land of Goshen.
Also, players who performed brilliantly well were honoured after the tournament.
Segun Alabi of Land of Goshen FC was named the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament for his crucial saves in penalty shootouts.
Makoko National HQ’s Olaitan Segbainu claimed the Player of the Tournament award, while Fatai Olayinka of Salvation Global FC took home the accolade for the Best Goal of the Tournament.
The Chairman of the Sports Committee, a renowned sports journalist, Tunde Orebiyi, said the tournament was an initiative of the Sports Committee of the Imeko Convocation.
He assured that the tournament would be bigger and better in 2025.
Orebiyi said, “We thank God for the success of this event. It is an annual sporting event of the church. It is a self-funded grassroots tournament among parishes worldwide, held in memory of Saint SBJ Oshoffa by the Sports Committee of the Imeko Convocation. More than ₦1 million in prize money was shared. Next year will be bigger and better, God willing.”
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