BY SUNDAY AKINTOYE
Bariga Football Club on Thursday emerged the champions after defeating Odion Ighalo Football Club in the 1XBET Cup final played at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena formally known as Onikan Stadium, Lagos.
Bariga boys defeated Ighalo FC 2-0 in an encounter watched by mammoth crowd. The two team started the game on a good note as Olatunde Oladejo scored the opening goal in the 12th minutes to send Bariga fans into wild jubilation.
Ighalo were better in the second half by controlling the possession.Ighalo missed some scoring chances that would have given them equaliser.
Benjamin Friday of Bariga FC capitalised on their opponents defesive error and hit the the net to make it second goal towards the end of the game.The goal confirmed Bariga superiority over their opponents and became champions of the competition.
Bariga Coach,Ayoola Julius expressed delight with the team’s performance saying that he was proud of his boys for the job well done.
“I dedicate this hard fought victory to our fans in Bariga, Shomolu, Fadeyi and its environs.They are here with us and give us necessary support to achieve this historic feat.
“This is a competition that brought the best out of my players and i commend the organisers and sponsor for the success of the competition,”he said.
The winners went home with the sum of N1m with a giant trophy, while Ighalo received N500,000 as Young Strikers who defeated De Elite 2-0 in the third place match received the sum of N300,000.