Team Ogun’s men’s football team defeated the Golden Eaglets – competing under the Invited Junior Athletes initiative – 2-1 in a thrilling semi-final clash of the 2024 National Sports Festival at the Ikene centre on Sunday, The PUNCH reports.
The victory sends Ogun State into the men’s football final, where they will face Kwara State on Tuesday at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex.
In a keenly contested encounter, Team Ogun recovered from a goal down to overcome the Golden Eaglets, who fought valiantly but fell short.
The match ended 2-1 in favour of the hosts, much to the delight of the home supporters, and there would be more support on Tuesday when the final is held in Abeokuta.
However, Ogun State’s female football team also faced the Flamingos, also competing under the IJA initiative, but it was the invited athletes who prevailed 1-0 over the hosts.
Shakirat Moshood’s penalty was the difference between the two sides.
The Flamingos will face Delta State, who beat their counterparts from Osun 4-1 in the first semi-final.
Kwara State also advanced to the final with a 1-0 victory over Kaduna State in the first semi-final.
The decisive moment came in the 62nd minute when Muhammed Abdullahi found the back of the net, ensuring Kwara’s progression.
The stage is now set for an exciting showdown between Team Ogun and Kwara State, while the Golden Eaglets and Kaduna State will battle for bronze in the third-place match.
According to the organisers of the 22nd National Sports Festival, the men’s and women’s football finals have been moved to the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta.
