Police Machine Baretta FC emerged as champions of the New year Mega lottery (NYML-NLO Super 8) championship 2024, on Saturday, at the Bwari township Stadium, Abuja.
The New year Mega lottery (NYML-NLO super 8) championship, which started on December 16 ended today Saturday, December 22,2024, at the Bwari township Stadium, Abuja.
The Gombe -based male team defeated the highly favored Family worship FC 5-4 in a penalty shootout in the final match , after regulation time ended in a goalless draw to claim the chant title.
Police Machine Baretta FC won their previous matches,against Likeminds FC 2-0 ,FC Ebedei 1-0 and Ibom Youths FC 1-0.While Family worship FC smashed De-Sapele lions FC 3-0,Ojodu City FC 1-0 and Kogi United FC 3-1.
In the match, the Family worship FC inability to capitalize on their chances proved costly, as the match ultimately came down to penalties, where they fell short
The Family worship FC got on a sound footing and overturned excellent passes to the admiration of few watching spectators but no goal to show for their display in the first half.
Both team played almost all their tactics and skills all to no avail in the pursuit of a goal that never surfaced.
Police Machine Baretta FC too had fair portion of possession in the first half but never had a threat to Family worship FC. Family worship had chances upon chances, for the players they failed to convert all to goal.
However, on resumption into the second half, the two teams approached the game especially Family worship FC who dominated the field in order to secure a goal but failed to convert their efforts. The game ended 0-0 in a regular time and ended 5-4 in penalty shootout.
Speaking after the match,
police Machine Baretta FC coach, Omatiga Gabriel, expressed pride in his team’s performance, stating that they played better tactically and physically than their opponents, Family Worship Center FC.
Gabriel attributed their success to the team’s hard work, tactical gameplay, and the support of the Inspector General of Police.
On the other hand, Bunmi Haruna, coach of Family Worship FC, acknowledged that his team played well but were unfortunate to lose in the penalty shootout.
Haruna stated that his team created scoring chances but failed to convert them, ultimately leading to their loss.
In spite the defeat, Haruna expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance and vowed to refocus and strive for excellence in future competitions.
Police Machine Baretta FC received an 18-seater bus worth 30 million Maira courtesy of New year Mega lottery. ( NYML-NLO super 8).
Eight teams participated including Police Machine Baretta FC, Ibom Youths FC ,Family worship FC ,Kogi United FC,City sports FC ,FC Ebedei ,De sapele lions FC and Ojodu City FC.
The tournament is a championship play-off to determine the overall winner of the NLO season.
The teams that participate in the Super 8 are the top teams from the NLO, and they compete in a round-robin format. The team with the most points at the end of the tournament is crowned the champion.
