Fortunate MFM and Sunshine Stars have both advanced to the final of the Ottasolo Pre-season Tournament after they defeated Lobi Stars and Yobo FC at the Legacy Pitch, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos in the semi-finals played on Saturday.
The first semi-final tie between both NPFL teams was full of drama and action packed as both tried to justify their group stages performance that earned them spots to the last four.
Lobi Stars was the better side in the encounter but MFM had their goalkeeper, Osayi Kingdom, and the bar to thank for keeping a clean sheet at the end of the regulation time.
It was goalless at the end of the regulation time before MFM secured the win during the ensuing penalty shootouts. The Olukoya Boys goalie, Kingdom came to his team’s rescue again, saving two penalty kicks as they triumphed 4-2. Etim Matthew and Barnabas Imenger Jr missed their spot kicks for Lobi Stars but MFM converted all the four they played.
There were few chances in the first half of the game although there was a call for penalty in the 40th minute when Lobi Stars goalkeeper, Daniel Atsaka, was adjudged to have impeded MFM’s Temim Adebayo, but the referee waved the penalty appeal away.
The second half was full of drama with Lobi Stars hitting the crossbar twice and had a goal disallowed for offside.
MFM had the chance to win the game in the added time when Tosin Olubobola was impeded with a rough challenge inside the 18-yard box.
After consulting with his linesman and checking the spot where the foul took place, the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty.
MFM goalkeeper Kingdom’s kick was saved by Atsaka to the delight of Lobi Stars’ Technical crew and officials.
The game ended goalless at the end of the 90 minutes and the resultant penalty kicks saw Kingdom saving from Mathew and Imenger Jnr to help his team secure a 4-2 victory and a place in the final.
The second semi-final game between Sunshine Stars and Yobo FC ended 4-0 in favour of the NPFL side.
Rolland Koffi put the Owena Whales ahead in the 45th minute just before the halftime break after the NLO side had defended stoutly to avoid conceding a goal.
Sunshine Stars scored three more goals in the second half through Azeez Ajagbe with his third goal of the tournament, Leonard Ugochukwu and Pius Ojo in the 71st, 77th and 84th minutes.
The final is billed for 9am tomorrow at the Legacy Pitch, National Stadium, Surulere.
