Emmanuel Ikpeama
Ejigbo, Lagos–It was raining goals and overflowing with drama at the Ejigbo Street Soccer 3.0 quarter-finals as the tournament sponsored by the Executive Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA,Aare Taoheed Adebayo Taiwo (TAT), lived up to its billing as the biggest grassroots football fiesta in Lagos. 
The streets of Anuoluwuapo and its environs came alive with deafening chants, vuvuzelas and undiluted street passion as eight streets battled for four semi-final slots, but only the strongest survived.
In the opening fixture, tournament favourites Segun Awolowo Street sent a strong warning to other contenders, demolishing Double Star Street 4-1 in a ruthless display of attacking football.
It was a football lesson – pace, precision and power – as Segun Awolowo ran riot and left Double Star chasing shadows.
The second quarter-final was not for the faint-hearted.Moshalashi Aigbaka Street and Chris Oladunmi Street produced a classic, a ding-dong battle that ended 2-2 in regulation time.
The tension went to fever pitch in the penalty shootout where Chris Oladunmi held their nerves to win 3-2, sparking wild celebrations that shook the community field.
Akogun Street proved that resilience wins games, as they pipped a stubborn Adefioye Street 2-1 in a tactical chess match.
Investigator news reports that the brightest moment of the day belonged to one man – Mustapha Adeshina of Anuoluwuapo Street.
Adeshina, with swagger and supreme confidence, scored twice to sink Mohammed Akije Street 2-0, earning the Man of the Match award. He was simply unstoppable.
Adding a royal and spiritual blessing to the tournament, the Grand Chief Imam of Ejigbo LCDA, Alhaji Dr. Sanni Mukaila Akanni,spoke with newsmen at the venue and described the competition as a good initiative brought together by the Executive Chairman.
According to the revered cleric, the tournament goes beyond entertainment, as it is a strategic tool for youth reorientation.
“It is very interesting and exciting, street soccer is to mobilize and also to motivate the youths to participate in sports so as to stay away from crime, drugs and immorality. So I really appreciate the Chairman for organizing the tournament,” Alhaji Dr. Akanni said.
“One thing about sports especially football, is that whenever you are having as problem in the country it will be forgotten immediately as football brings unity, joy and peace,” he added.
Investigator news gathered that with this result, the semi-final stage is set for a showdown of giants:
Segun Awolowo vs Chris Oladunmi
Akogun vs Anuoluwuapo
Who will rule Ejigbo streets? The answer will unfold in the semi-finals as Ejigbo Street Soccer 3.0 organized by Aare TAT enters its most decisive chapter on Saturday.
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