NLO Unveil Teams For NLO/Ikukuoma Super Cup

 

The Nationwide League One (NLO) has unveiled /listed teams that qualified from the 2023 NLO Youth League and will lock horns at the inaugural edition of the Super Cup.

The 10-day tournament will kick off on Tuesday, September 5 through Saturday, September 16, 2023, in Imo State.

The Uboma Secondary School Stadium Complex, Ihitte Uboma in Etiti LGA, Imo State will host matches of the NLO Super League.

A total of 18 teams, which includes two wild cards are Paul E FC (FCT), TY Buratai FC (Yobe State), Palm Syrup FC (Akwa-Ibom State), Ikukuoma FC (Imo State), Divine Praise FC (Lagos State), Ablegod FC (Ondo State), JSC FC Suleja (Niger State) and Golden Albium FC (Delta State).

Others are Tudun Wada FC (Kano State), Zeal Minds FC (Benue State), DOHZ FA (Kwara State), Bare Utd FC (Gombe State), Hausawa United FC (Kano State), Discovery Academy (Kebbi State), Star Builders FC (Ogun State) and Kofar Soro FC from Katsina State.

The nation's third-tier league listed two wild cards are Summer FC and Ave Football Club from Ihitte Uboma.

The tournament which will be keenly contested will see invited foreign scouts, and eight Sporting Directors from different leagues across the world in attendance.

However, the NLO broadcasting department will be live-streaming all matches from the championship for fans all over the world to see.

Beyond Limits Win Optima Energy Gold Cup After Biliaminu Stuns Ijebu United

 

Beyond Limits Win Optima Energy Gold Cup After Biliaminu Stuns Ijebu United

Beyond Limits has claimed its first Optima Energy Gold Cup after three attempts with a victory over Ijebu United, to claim the bragging rights of the southwest derby final on Saturday at the Remo Stars International Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State.

The Young Sky Blue Stars started brightly and were reeled into the game by the quick pace, dazzling moves and delightful passing of the trio of Onyebuchi Obasi, Farouq Ogundare and Olude Muyideen; which were much to bear for Ijebu United backline, as they dictated the tempo at which they wanted the game to be played. 

Super sub and tournament top scorer,  Biliaminu Abdullahi sent fans at the stadium to a frenzy as he struck the decisive blow from 20yards in the 41st minute, which deflected off an Ijebu United defender for the first goal just before half time. 

It was Biliaminu's second goal against Ijebu United after his first in the last Group A game and his fifth in the 11th edition of the Optima Energy Gold Cup pre-season tournament.

Ijebu United had their own fair share of the first half, and should have gone ahead in the 34th minute, after Chika Collins took on his man and found himself some space in Beyond Limits box, to pulls the trigger but his effort went off the woodwork marginally, thus leaving Daniel Aiyenugba no trouble in goal.

The second half was as entertaining as the first but Ijebu United failed to make it count in the one hour mark, as Collins Chika finds himself in space after receiving an assist from his teammate but he put his effort inches wide from goal.

As both teams press for another goal, Ganiyu Odumade was the hero for Ijebu United who should have been two goals down four minutes to end the game, as his reflex saves twice denied Mogaji Ridwan from pointblank.

Biliaminu's strike was enough to seal the trophy, sum of One Million for his team as he picked up the top scorer award and most valuable player award for himself, while Ijebu United took home Five Hundred Thousand Naira (500,000) for emerging as runner-up.

Optima Energy Gold Cup: Biliaminu's Sensational Strike Nails Ijebu United

 

Optima Energy Gold Cup: Biliaminu's Sensational Strike Nails Ijebu United

Beyond Limits became the first team to record three wins out of three matches in the group phase of the Optima Energy Gold Cup, as Biliaminu Abdullahi's sensational effort from 19 yards nailed Ijebu United in a thriller at the Remo Stars International Stadium in Ikenne.

It was a top of the table clash between two Ogun State football teams, and it lived up to the hype in the final game of the group.

But it was Beyond Limits that claimed the bragging rights, to go top on the log of their group with 9points while Ijebu United settled for second with 6points from two wins, as former champions Sunshine Stars got their first win beating Hammola FC by a lone goal to finish third and fourth respectively.

After a thrilling 85 minutes of quality football from both teams, the last five minutes was a soaked tensed but it was Biliaminu who made his Beyond Limits look unstoppable, after he made the most of a set-piece from his team's half to lash a wonder strike in between a helpless Ijebu United goalie for what could be the goal of the tourney in the 87th minute.

The strike sees Biliaminu lead the race for the Optima Energy Gold Cup golden boot with four goals and one better than Ijebu United's Ifeanyi Ihemekweele who bagged a hat-trick in the 6-1 thrashing of Hammola FC.

Beyond Limits will wait till Wednesday to know if they will take on Tradesafe FC, former champion Niger Tornadoes or FC Ebedei in the semi-final, while Shooting Stars who top Group B will host Ijebu United for a chance to make it into three consecutive Optima Energy Gold Cup final.

The trio of Tradesafe FC, Tornadoes and FC Ebedei need a win to join 3SC in the last four of the 11th edition of the nation's esteemed pre-season tourney.

Optima Energy Gold Cup: Wabzeem Sports To Present MVP Award, Golden Shoe

 

Optima Energy Gold Cup: Wabzeem Sports To Present MVP Award, Golden Shoe 

A reputable sports management firm based in Ibadan, Wabzeem has become the newest partner of the Optima Energy Gold Cup pre-season tourney ongoing in Ikenne and Apele-Sagamu, Ogun State.

Wabzeem Sports Management who joined the Optima Energy Gold Cup will be gifting the tournament Most Valuable Player and top scorer a unique plaque as an award for superb brilliance.

General Coordinator, Tunde Shamsudeen told the nation's prestigious pre-season tourney' Media Channel: "We are delighted that Wabzeem Sports Management has identified with the Optima Energy Gold Cup brand by way of partnership.

"They will be presenting an MVP and golden shoe award to the best player after the final of the 10 days tournament.

"Let me inform that, just after Matchday 2 in the 11th edition of the tourney designed to prepare teams in the three-tier division of Nigeria's  domestic leagues, we have seen more than four players already in the hunt for both awards, following their impressive showing for their respective teams and scoring form at goal.

"An interesting thing we have lined up, is fan activation, as they will be the ones to vote the Optima Energy Gold Cup  pre-season tourney MVP at the final.

Wabzeem Sports Management, under the umbrella of Oladele Barees, are known for breeding champion for the future and represent players interest in and out the shores of Nigeria.

Optima Energy Gold Cup: Olayiwola Gifts 100k To Hammola FC

 

Olayiwola Dangles N.1million Naira On Hammola FC At Optima Energy Gold Cup

Former Osun State Football Association Chairmanship aspirant in the 2023 election, Alhaji Olafiranye Olayiwola  has once again extended his philanthropic gesture towards the growth of Osun football, after he dangled a sum of N100,000 naira to Hammola FC at the on going 11th edition of the Optima Energy Gold Cup.

Olayiwola, a member of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association, Osun State chapter was a surprised guest during one of the Matchday 2 fixture at the Remo Stars International Stadium in Ikenne on Sunday.

Speaking to the Media Channel of the Optima Energy Gold Cup after he made avaliable the fund to the President of Ido-Osun based Hammola FC .

"The gesture is my little way of supporting Hammola FC and by extension supporting youth development in Osun State via the sport we all have a passion for, football.

"I want commend Odeyemi Muideen on the platform he has made avaliable for his players, saw the zeal of Hammola players, as they gave their best in their game against Ijebu-United. Not minding the result, many of the players in the team have a bright future if they keep their focus," Olayiwola said.

Despite vying for the Osun State football top job and stepping down on the day of election, Olayiwola who has not stop giving to the growth of the round leather game, has hinted on the reasons that spurs him on.

"It has been my usual habit, regardless me contesting and stepping down on the day of Osun State FA election, it motivates me when see well meaningful individuals contributing to the success of football and youth empowerment."

On where he hopes to see Osun Football in next five or 10 years, "I share same idealogy with the General Coordinator of the Optima Energy Gold Cup, Tunde Shamsudeen and a few others who want the best future for the game and for our youths to thrive.

"Presently things are changing for the good, as we now a partner that is providing branding expertise for Osun Football. This is the first of its time and we are hopeful that better things will come the way of the sport in the coming season."