BY SUNDAY AKINTOYE
A Lagos-based semi professional side, Prince Kazeem Eletu Football Club have proved the bookmakers wrong following their 2-1 victory recorded over De Elite Football Academy in the ongoing Lagos State Challenge Cup popularly known as Lagos FA Cup.
Prince Kazeem Eletu FC on Thursday afternoon defeated De Elite Academy 2-1 in the third round of the Lagos FA Cup which held at the Maracana stadium, Ajegunle.
Eletu boys who are appearing in the Lagos FA Cup for the first time have won their three Matches and they are now in the 4th round(Round of 64) to face Nationwide League One (NLO) team, Real Saphhire FC on Sunday by 2pm at the Maracana stadium.
De Elite boys began their match against Eletu Boys on impressive note as they controlled the possession in the early game.
Their effort was rewarded when Christopher Ogoho scored own goal to give De Elite Academy early lead.
The goal spurred Eletu Boys who were determined to win the game to increase the tempo of the game.A well connected pass being controlled by Jude Obasi and quickly squared play from the right flank was superbly utilized by Akeem Taofeek to give Prince Kazeem Eletu Boys equaliser in the 20th minutes.
On the resumption of the second half, Eletu began to dominate the possession, putting pressure on their opponents.
Both teams who played to the admiration of the fans could not convert their missed chances in the second half.
Eletu boys who were very dangerous on counter attack got their well deserved penalty in the 74th minutes when De Elite
goalie committed a foul in the box eighteen yard and was calmly converted by Habeeb Balogun to give Eletu boys winning goal.
Efforts by De Elite boys to get equaliser was abortive as Eletu defenders marshalled defence line and ran away with 2-1 victory to set up a state FA Cup fourth round with Real Sapphire on Sunday afternoon.
Reacting to the victory, Eletu Coach, Isreal Adegolu expressed satisfaction with the team’s progess in the Lagos FA Cup and admonished the players to remain focused and steadfast in their next game.
While team manager of Eletu Boys, Eletu Muftau described the victory well deserved saying that the team still need to work hard if they want to go far in the tournament.
“It was a good outing for the team.Our boys and coaching crew need to be commended because they have done a fantastic job.However the boys still need to double their efforts in the next game,”he said.
Asked about his opinion if Eletu boys could reach the Lagos FA Cup final, Muftau said their focus is next match and the boys and coaching crew take the game one after the other.
“All I can say is that our players are highly motivated by the management in each game and we are happy that we are still in the competition.Our target now is our next game not to reach Lagos FA Cup final,”he said.
