The first semifinal football match of the ongoing Ikeja Games, an initiative and powered by Rt. Hon Jame Abiodun Faleke lived up to expectations as both teams that include the Victor Osimhen boy’s club from Oregun/Olusosun/Alausa representing Ward C in the Ikeja Federal Constituency outclassed their opponent from Seriki-Aro/Ipodo/Alade Ward E with 2 goals to nil in a pulsating encounter.
The Ward C side right from kickoff showed they meant business as they made a quick incursion into the penalty area of their opponent but the top striker of the side Shola Adelami shot wide to give the Ward E side a respite to restart the game.
The keenly contested first half saw the attacking midfielder of the Ward C side capitalize on a defensive error between a defender and Ebuka Enock in goal for the Ward E side to tap in the curtain-raiser late in the first half for the team from Oregun/Olusosun/Alausa, coincidentally the ward of the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Executive Chairman of Onigbongbo LCDA, who was at the match venue to cheer the team during the first round matchs.
The second half was well contested by both sides as the Ward E Team almost got the equalizer but was flanked offside by the assistant referee.
The substitutions made by the Ward E coach Tunde Kelani, when he substituted Fatai Omolabake and Christopher Monday for Ebieren Ijonama and Tunji Bakare seemed to be the undoing of the side, as the midfield collapsed completely allowing the Ward C Team completely outclassed them until the unarguable man of the match Shola Adelami received a through pass from the captain of his side Mukaila Adefolami, before displacing two onrushing defenders and shot past Ebuka in goal for the Ward E side to make it 2 nill for the Tinubu boys and guaranteed a place in the final.
The second semifinal game was however trailed by disruption, as the Ward I team from GRA/Police Barrack molested the assistant referee who flanked off what seemed their equalizer against Ward F from Ogba-Oluwole/Shogunro, after the Ward F side went into the lead 2-1 shortly after the resumption of the second half, the initial half ended 1-1
The number 6 and 2 players from Ward I assaulted the assistant referee who flanked their effort offside when the center referee had initially blown for a goal
The technical committee and the National Institute for Sports had to suspend further proceedings of the game to avoid further gross misconduct and likely outbreak of other social disturbances.
The Technical Committee is expected to seat 2 pm on Monday to determine the fate of the second finalists.
