Optima Energy Gold cup pre-season tournament : Defending champions Beyond Limits, Shooting Stars FC Qualify for Finals
Ten-man Shooting Stars FC defeated Beninese Association Sportive de la Vallée de l’Ouémé (ASVO) FC by a lone goal in the second semi-final match of the ongoing 12th edition of the Optima Energy Gold Cup pre-season tournament at Remo stars stadium, Ikenne,Ogun State.
In the 16th minute, Shooting Stars FC, Aliyu Abubakar crosses to Taiye Muritala from a free kick, but his shot misses the target.
Ten minutes later, Shooting Stars FC , Ikouwem Utin crosses to Anthony Okachi, who gets his head on the ball but ASVO FC , Douyeme Batori flicks it over for a corner.
In the 48th minute, Anthony Okachi , Shooting Stars FC was giving his marching order for needless challenge on Muri Dagbo reducing the squad to 10 men and made play tough for the Oluyole Warriors.
Shooting Stars FC, Bolaji Sakin’s cross finds Daddy Abdulraman but his header went wide in the 50th minute .
At the half hour mark, Douyeme Batori denied Shooting Stars FC the chance to take the lead after pulling a save from Aliyu Abubakar’s shot on target.
Both teams are seriously searching for the opener as the deadlock was finally broken in the 64th minute for Shooting Stars FC .
Ex-Flying Eagles star, Ikouwem Utin sends in a cross to Victor Chukwudi, and the attacking winger made no mistake putting the ball into the net.
In the 75th minute, Adebayo Raphael flashes the ball after receiving a neat pass from Dayo Ojo, but his effort couldn’t hit the net.
Five minutes later, Aliyu Abubakar of Shooting Stars FC , sends in a cross from the corner, Desmond Ojietefian gets his head to the ball but his effort could not yield.
Victor Chukwudi on the attack once again in the 83rd minute, as the winger finds Malachi Ohawume with a cross but the ball hit the bar.
The Shooting Star FC laboured hard to end the game with a lone goal victory over ASVO FC and booked the Optima Energy Gold cup final ticket.
Meanwhile, Beyond Limits FC as earlier booked the final spot by a lone goal win over FC Ebedei .
Shooting Stars FC Setting up an epic battle with defending champions Beyond Limits for the finals billed for Saturday at the Remo Stars International Stadium, Ikenne ,Ogun State with kickoff at 3pm local time.
