Ogunjobi, Others Shocked Over Prime’s Ouster

Chairman of Osun State Football Association, Taiwo Ogunjobi and many fans of Prime FC of Osogbo left the Ilorin Township Stadium disappointed after their darling team failed to score three of their penalty shootout in the semi final against Heartland on Wednesday.

Ogunjobi, who led thousands of fans of Prime FC to Ilorin was disappointed seeing his team losing the final ticket of the Federation Cup to defending champions, Heartland FC.

Ogunjobi, a former board member of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, hurriedly left the stadium as journalists ran after him for interviews after the match.

Some Prime players wept uncontrollably, while others were dejected. Some Kwara fans who came to Stadium to cheer Prime FC to victory also went home with their heads bowed.

Heatland Coach, Ndubuisi Nduka said his team did not enjoy much support in Ilorin but he thanked God for winning the battle.

Meanwhile, Chief Coach of Prime FC, Ademola Adeshina said his team lacked the needed experience to beat Heartland in Wednesday’s semi final in Ilorin. Adeshina said that the game was tough for both sides, but blamed inexperience for his team’s ouster from the final.

“We created some chances but my players were jittery in front of goal. It was so bad that we could lose three penalties at such a crucial stage of the match,” said the former Green Eagles player, who apologised to their fans for not living up to expectation.

Adeshina said his team tried their best in the tournament, saying that nobody gave them a chance to reach the semi final. He said that he will work on the weakness of the team before the league starts.

“We are happy to play in the semi final of the Federation Cup this year. Although our fans from Ibadan, Ilorin and Osogbo might be disappointed because we did not win, all the same I am fulfilled that I led Prime FC to the semi final of the Federation Cup,” he said.

—Sunday Akintoye