Shooting Stars Football Club of Ibadan beat lower league side Beyond Limits Football Academy of Ikenne 2-0 on Thursday to win the 2023 ValueJet Cup Pre-Season Football Tournament.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that two first-half goals helped the Oluyole Warriors to victory in the one-week competition at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.
Taofeek Malomo headed in a pullout from Joshua Akpan to set them on course for victory in the 17th minute.
Six minutes later, Gali Falke extended the Ibadan giants’ lead to stun the Beyond Limits side which had drawn 1-1 with them on Friday in their opening group match.
Beyond Limits FA, who had topped Group B during the group phase of the competition, then fought back bravely.
They did have most of the possession, keeping the former continental champions on the back foot most of the time, but they failed to seize control of the game.
Shooting Stars FC were strong in defending, with goalkeeper Darlington Ovunda making several saves, while they also kept their foes under check several times with several counter-attacks.
NAN reports that Shooting Stars had beaten Group A winners and hosts Remo Stars FC 3-0 in Tuesday’s semi-finals to reach the final.
That was after they finished second in Group B behind Beyond Limits, following a 3-2 win over Abia Warriors of Umuahia and a goalless draw with Rivers United of Port Harcourt.
Beyond Limits, FA had beaten Group A runners-up Kwara United on penalty kicks after a drawn game in the first semi-final on Tuesday.
They had drawn 1-1 with the Shooting Stars, beaten Abia Warriors 2-0 and also drew goalless with Rivers United to top their group.
Shooting Stars received a cash prize of two million Naira and a trophy for winning the competition.
NAN reports that the tournament’s closing ceremony was graced by several dignitaries, including Ekene Adams, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Sports.
Seyi Akinwunmi, the immediate-past First Vice-President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), as well as Ganiyu Majekodunmi, the Ogun Football Association Chairman and NFF Executive Committee member, were also in attendance.
(NAN)
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