36 Lion FC and Smart City FC continued their impressive performance at the ongoing Jagaban Cup which entered its second day on Wednesday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos with crucial victories to boost their chances of winning the top prize.
The Jagaban Cup was initiated to gather support at the grassroots for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2023 Presidential Election that he has been tipped to win.
The tournament with scouts from Czech Republic, Belgium, Finland and Norway entered its second day of hostilities on Wednesday with 36 Lion, Smart City, Messiah FC and Jo Sportyne as top winners.
De Potters got a massive point off more illustrious MFM FC afterr the game ended in a 1-1 draw. It was Kelvin Osas that put De Potters in front at Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos when he slammed the ball home off a fine assist by Bello Olatunji.
But MFM got their equaliser through Ishyaku Yusuf who blasted the ball to the back of the net for his second goal of the tournament for the Olukoya Boys in the 20th minute. It was how the game ended.
Messiah FC revived their intention to qualify from Group A with a crushing 4-0 win over whipping boys, Badagry United. It was Messiah FC’s first win after two games. 36 Lion best them 2-0 in the tournament’s opening game on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, 36 Lion staged a comeback in style after the mild blip against MFM FC on Tuesday. The Lions devoured erstwhile Group A leaders, De Potters 2-0 to ascend the top spot with their second victory from three games.
Bankole Abideen broke the deadlock for 36 Lion in the 24rd minute to the chagrin of De Potters. Edeh Joseph with his third goal of the tournament completed the misery for the De Potters with 36 Lion’s second goal in the 44th minute.
In Group B, Smart City continued from where they stopped on Tuesday, acquiring another important win against Jo Sportyne to remain unbeaten after three games.
Smart City’s Alade Balogun scored twice in the 41st and 47th minutes to overturn a 1-0 deficit into a key win. It was Balogun’s fourth goal of the tourney after three games and his goals have helped the Lagos based club to remain in firm control of Group B with seven points.
Olukismet continued their unimpressive performance but they managed to scoop their first point after a hard fought goalless draw against FC Bethel who improved to four points from two games.
In the remaining game, Jo Sportyne pipped Ikorodu City 1-0 for their first win of the tournament while Ikorodu City remained at the bottom of Group B with a point from two games.
The group stage matches would end on Thursday with mouthwatering fixtures on offer.
In Group A, MFM FC who are second with four points will face Badagry United in the first game of the day. A win in the game and another commendable performance against Messiah FC will be sufficient for the Olukoya Boys to finish in the top two in the group.
De Potters will be up against Messiah FC in a winner takes all battle while Badagry United and 36 Lion will lock horns in a game that could turn out to be a mere formality for the border-based side if they failed to record a win against MFM in the first game of the day. 36 Lion will be comfortable with a win that will ensure they top Group A.
In Group B, Smart City will trade tackles with FC Bethel knowing that a win should be enough to keep them at the top of the group.
Ikorodu City will face FC Bethel with both in dire need of a win. The former will also slug it out with Olukismet FC while Jo Sportyne vs Olukismet is another fixture to be on the lookout for.
Jagaban Cup is packaged by 36 Lion headed by Hajj Gafar Liameed and Diamond Sports and the tournament has made it as a priority to help galvanise support for the frontline Presidential candidate of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Lagos youths are spreading the news all over the Lagos metropolis like wildfire.
By Tunde Liadi
