23rd December, 2010
It was mixed fortune for grassroots clubs in the fourth quarter of the outgoing year.
While some were counting their losses, others were happy with their performance in various football competitions.
The outgoing year was a memorable one for Police Machine. The Team Manager of the club, Olusola Sangoniran, was delighted that his team won this year’s Gbgada Mock Nations Cup.
Police Machine of Gbagada defeated Larry Football Club of Agege 1 -0 to emerge champions. Sangoniran, who could not hide his feeling, was very grateful to God for the victory, saying he ended this year on a good note by winning the Cup.
“The year 2010 has been a year I cannot forget in my life. When we started the Mock Nations Cup, nobody gave us a chance and I thank God that we put our critics to shame,†said Sangoniran, who vowed to defend the title next year.
At the just concluded Mamora Cup, Divine Promise football club of Ikorodu also made history by defeating Maryland Football Club 5-3 on penalty shootout after a barren draw in regulation time.
Chairman of Divine Promise, FC, Debo Ogunade, said his team recorded the biggest achievement by winning Mamora Cup. He commended his team for their doggedness and determination, which helped them to win the cup for the first time.
In his address, the cup donor, who doubles as a member of the House of Senate, Senator Olorunnibe Mamora, expressed gratitude to God for the success of the competition and congratulated the winning team for their victory.
Meanwhile, Larry Football club, who won the Lagos Oba’s Cup two years ago, were disappointed that they could not defend their title this year.
The chairman of the club, Olanrewaju Sanyaolu, was bitter about the delay of the competition.
“The Lagos State Sports Ministry denied my club a chance to defend the Oba’s Cup, which we won two years ago. I spent a lot of money on preparation, hoping that the competition will hold but I don’t think the organisers will stage the competition again,†he said.
At the Eshilokun Cup final on Lagos Island, there was another disappointment. Not only for the New Camp football team but the football fans, who came to watch the final of the competition sponsored by the Chairman of Lagos Island, Wasiu Eshilokun.
The sponsor was absent during the encounter as many fans who came to watch the final went home disappointed. New Camp football team disappointed their fans when Almighty FC humbled them 4-2 to win the pulsating match watched by a large crowd.
The Match Coordinator, Sakiru Aromire,who was sad that the cup donor was absent at the competition, told GSG that the council boss was not around because he went to attend to a state matter.
