Second Optima Energy Gold Cup Triumph Will Be Bonus For Beyond Limits - Olumide

 

Optima Energy Gold Cup Final: Beyond Limits To Learn, Compete Against Shooting Stars- Olumide

Olumide Ajibolade says winning a back-to-back Optima Energy Gold Cup against Shooting Stars in the final will be a bonus to his Beyond Limits, as his lads are ready to to learn, compete against the best. 

Both teams clash in Saturday's finale of the 12th edition of the nation's off-season football tournament billed for the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State. 

His thoughts ahead of the tantalizing clash after Beyond Limits edged FC Ebedei in the first semis on Thursday. 

"The objective is to learn and compete, Shooting Stars should give us a good game for the boys to take the lessons. We're happy. 

"I've never gone to a tournament thinking I have to win, it's never in the back of my mind, and of course people say that's a lie because we win everything. 

"Our objective is always to compete, and if we win, it's a bonus. We have to ensure the lads play well and improve, and if we win again on Saturday, it's just another trophy, and we're happy for that."

On the tough and close game against FC Ebedei, "I don't think our semi-final game was difficult just because we won with a one goal margin, however the opposition was very physical, a lot duels and intensity pressing, organization with bodies behind the ball. And off course, we expected that when we know, as no team wants us to have space behind, so we keep probing trying to find the options to play around them and eventually we get a break through. 

"By and large I think the organization from FC Ebedei was good but we were not just able to have in our one by one, may be it's preseason, so we have a lot to work on. 

"Nothing different from what we actually do, it's preseason so we would then compete and hopefully we'll be able to field a lot more players, so they can get the needed minutes as they prepare for other competitions that's ahead of us. So nothing special, just our normal approach of excellence."

Fredrick Oliseh: FC Ebedei Will Battle Beyond Limits With Same Intensity

Fredrick Oliseh: FC Ebedei Will Battle Beyond Limits With Same Intensity 

FC Ebedei General Manager and Coach Fredrick Oliseh says it is an incredible feeling breaking the 12-year jinx in the Optima Energy Gold Cup, as he assured that it will be the same intensity against Beyond Limits in Thursday's semi-final. 

Fredrick said: "It's incredible qualifying for the preseason semi-final; it's great working with a committed assistant; it all comes down to hard work, that's what it is, and never giving up and always adding up to the formula at FC Ebedei. 

"Great credit to the entire staff and the players. It's not just me as no man is an island. To our President Barrister Churchill Oliseh, who's the frontrunner and insightful in giving me this platform."

Ahead of the next clash against Beyond Limits, "The games in the group are done, and you are only as good as your next game.

"Intensity, the same as you have seen on FC Ebedei, our level will be intense, we will be on the front foot. We will obviously create chances and then capitalise on moments; that's what we are going to do."

On his team's performance against Ikorodu City whom they piped 1-0 and kept a clean sheet. 

"You didn't keep clean sheets without hardwork, it takes a lot, that's why I have to give credit to the players and coaches. We work incredibly hard on how we want to defend and what we do when we don't have the ball, and you see the results right there on the pitch."

On his lads scoring two out of the three goals they recorded in the group phase in the first half. 

"Football is a game of moments, and these moments fell to us in the first halves of the matches against Osun United and Ikorodu City, and we have taken them. 

"At FC Ebedei, we only chase excellence, and this is the position we want to be in, as we don't accept anything less and demand outright the best for ourselves in terms of performance performance. 

"To be able to do these against Osun United, Ikorodu City and Shooting Stars is a testament to our psyche and mentality at FC Ebedei."

NPFL Star, Edward Victor Makalala Becomes African Union Agenda 2063 Ambassador

 

NPFL Star, Edward  Victor Makalala Becomes African Union Agenda 2063 Ambassador

Nigeria Premier Football League star Edward Victor Makalala has been named an Ambassador by the African Union Agenda 2063 Ambassadorial Assembly. 

The Award, an Identity Card and Diplomatic Passport was presented to Edward Victor at the African Union Agenda 2063 Ambassadorial Assembly in Africa, which took place at the Army Resource Centre Abuja. 

Head of Missions/Secretariat, Ambassador Stephen Gbatigbi Ben-Joel, in a statement addressed to the Plateau United goal poacher read. 

On behalf of the African Union Agenda 2063 Ambassadorial Assembly, Ambassador Edward Victor is an Ambassador of the African Union Agenda 2063 Ambassadorial Assembly in Africa.

As part of the privileges of his office, Ambassador Edward Victor has been assigned a special plate number from the AU Agenda 2063 Ambassadorial Assembly to aid his movement.

The number is AU Agenda 2063 AMB-57 with particulars of the vehicle as follows: Black 2022 Toyota Prado, with Chasis No: JTJB20X140039191. 

The AU Agenda 2063 Ambassadorial Assembly kindly requests Ambassador Edward Victor be accorded necessary courtesy due to his office and personality.

Sharing his delight: "It's a rare privilege to be named as an Ambassador by the African Union Agenda 2063 Ambassadorial Assembly and entrusted with the honor of representing Africa on the world stage."

ASVO FC Will Be Ambitious Against Shooting Stars- Osho

 

ASVO FC Will Be Ambitious Against Shooting Stars- Osho

Fatai Osho has assured that his Association Sportive de la Vallée de l'Ouémé (ASVO) FC will give its best shots against Shooting Stars of Ibadan. 

Osho revealed his pre-match routine ahead of Thursday's Optima Energy Gold Cup semi-final against the Oluyole Warriors at the Remo Stars International Stadium, Ikenne by 3pm. 

"I'm impressed with the transition in my team, coming from an opening day defeat to a draw and a win in the final group game," he told Optima Energy Gold Cup preseason tournament Media Channel. 

"But, we can't be ignorant of the fact that we still have a whole lot of work to do, to make the team better.  Having a contest with Shooting Stars in the semi-final will help us as a team, as the Oluyole Warriors will expose our weaknesses and strengths, and on our part, we'll be ambitious. 

"Once a team is in the semi-final of any tournament and has the chance to win it, then such a team must give its best shot. That ASVO FC will do, as we want to have another test with defending champions Beyond Limits in the final if both teams qualify. 

"We are looking forward to the Optima Energy Gold Cup final, as there's always a first time. In the last week of intense training and looking at the work rate of players in the matches we have played coming this far, I am highly encouraged. So playing in the final on Saturday will be an icing on the cake for us. 

"My assistants and I will prepare the team mentally for Shooting Stars and with a mindset that anything is quite possible."

On his team's progress in the preseason tournament, "It has been one with mixed emotions but a good one for the team, as finishing the final game against Kasam FA with a win and with 10-man, said a lot about the team. 

"In our first game against Beyond Limits, we started badly, the conditioning was not there, and we then had to work extra hard on the players, so that they could be able to compete, that's was has manifested in the team as they can now play better with the ball as a unit and execute my tactical instructions on the pitch. 

"The fitness level of my players is gradually coming up, as this is the only time we can overload them in training and still ask them to play. 

On his no-show in the dugout, " It is deliberate. It's a preseason tournament, and I want my assistants to do much of the job on the touchline while I watch calmly and jot on my notes the key things I see about my players during matches."

Osho, a former coach of Akwa United, has assured ASVO FC fans that they will see his 'Sugar Ball' when the Beninese season kicks off. 

"No doubt about it, we are going to be good in that area, my free-flowing football. Practically, we have just two weeks to work as a unit, and to have a team, where you can have players that can pass the ball to each other with their eyes closed, would need time."

Optima Energy Gold Cup: Ojo, Super Eagles Star Donates Best Goalkeeper Award

 

Optima Energy Gold Cup: Ojo, Super Eagles Star Donates Best Goalkeeper Award

A goalkeeper who displays a stellar performance during the 12 edition Optima Energy Gold Cup preseason tournament ongoing at the Remo Stars International Stadium and FC Ebedei Stadium, will take home a special award. 

The award is being sponsored by Super Eagles and now Al Merreikh of Sudan shot stopper Ojo Olorunleke. 

Olorunleke, 28-year-old, penned a two-year contract with Al Merreikh, who told Optima Energy Gold Cup media channel why he chooses to sponsor the award. 

"A lot of credits should be given to men in between the sticks, as goalkeepers are  integral part of a team. 

"At this year's edition of the goalkeeper who keeps the most clean sheets and makes outstanding saves and displays heroics in penalty shootout will be rewarded with an award."

Meanwhile the knockout stage of the nation's prestigious preseason tournament kicks on Thursday with two mouthwatering clashes between defending champions Beyond Limits and FC Ebedei at 8am, while Shooting Stars of Ibadan will have Beninese Association Sportive de la Vallée de l'Ouémé (ASVO) FC nut to crack in the second game billed for 3pm.