BY SUNDAY AKINTOYE
FC Babington football team on Sunday emerged as champions of Lagos Bet9ja Ex-Internationals Cup after defeating FC Enegwea football 3-1 in the pulsating final held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena popularly known as Onikan Stadium.
Both ex internationals, Bode Babington and Taiwo Enegwea were in charge of their adopted teams during the final watched by thousands of spectators.
Babington adopted a premier side, Ikorodu City, while Enegwea adopted Glorious Days FC based in Ajegunle in the competition sponsored by Bet9ja Foundation.
FC Babington took the lead through Shola Ayomiposi with a composed finish in the 29th minutes. FC Enegwea who enjoyed fans support gave a good account of themselves as Oladipupo Emmanuel who struck a loose ball from FC Babington goalkeeper, Michael Atata got a equaliser for the Ajegunle boys.
Both teams resumed the second half with high expectations. FC Babington, who were more experienced than their opponents, outplayed their opponents in the encounter. Abayomi Ayodeji scored at the close range to give FC Babington 2-1 lead in 65th minutes.
FC Enegwea came close to getting another equalizer through a powerful volley by David Samson at the top left corner but it’s tipped off for a corner kick by GK Michael Atata of FC Babington.
Malik Anah’s goal in the 83th minute was FC Babington needed to end the tie 3-1. Enegwea boys did everything to reduce the tally, but their efforts were abortive as the centre referee, Olajide Olayinka, signalled the end of the game in the 95th minute
Meanwhile, in the third place match played earlier, FC Okpara defeated FC Alloy 4-2 on penalties after one goal apiece at the regulation time.
The winners went home with a giant trophy with the sum of N2.5m, first runners-up received the sum of N1m, while third position pocketed N500, 000 as fourth position received N250, 000.