………We Use Street Football to Unite Ejigbo Youths–Aare TAT
……. Urges Residents To Vote For APC in 2027.
Emmanuel Ikpeama
Ejigbo, Lagos- It was tears of joy and wild jubilation at Ilufunmi Street yesterday as Akogun Street (Ilamoshe Ward) were crowned champions of the Ejigbo Street Soccer 3.0, after a dramatic 5-3 penalty shootout victory over Chris Oladunmi Street (Aigbaka Ward).
The explosive final, sponsored by the Executive Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA, Aare Taoheed Adebayo Taiwo (TAT),ended 2-2 in regulation time before going into penalties
Chris Oladunmi Street came into the final as the underdogs but showed no fear, drawing first blood in the first half to silence the crowd.
Akogun Street responded like true champions, equalizing almost immediately before scoring a second goal to take control of the game.
Just when Akogun thought they had won it, Chris Oladunmi Street produced a moment of magic with 2 minutes left to equalize and force the game into penalties.
In the shootout, Akogun Street were ice-cold. They converted all five spot kicks while Chris Oladunmi missed two,sealing a 5-3 win and the N1 Million grand prize.
Earlier, in the third-place match,Segun Awolowo Street showed class and supremacy, thrashing Anuoluwuapo Street 3-0.
Two quick goals in the first half and another in the second half ensured they went home with N500,000 and the bronze medal.Chris Oladunmi Street as runners-up went home with N700,000.
Speaking with newsmen after the trophy presentation, the Executive Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA, Aare Taoheed Adebayo Taiwo, said the tournament achieved more than just football.
“Today we have gotten a winner in Akogun Street and they’ll be going home with sum of one million naira.
“The second prize runner-up goes to Chris Oladunmi street and they won 700k, while Segun Awolowo Street won the third prize of 500k.
” But beyond the money, what we have achieved in the past two weeks of intense football is that we have sharpened their skills.”
“We brought in scouts who have seen their capacity, their capabilities and potentials. Those noticed will be invited and trained further.”
The Chairman went further to state that football was a deliberate tool to rebuild unity and keep youths engaged.
“What sports does generally, especially football, is that it unites everybody. What we have experienced in Ejigbo is two weeks of rebuilding of relationships, bringing different streets together to see themselves as one.”
“This is the first of its kind. We are using street football as a tool to keep them together, keep them engaged, sharpen their skills and develop their potentials.”
” It is only the Progressive Platform, the All Progressives Congress (APC), that can continue to sharpen youth skills and make sure they achieve their aspirations.
“I therefore urge all residents to continue to support APC and vote APC in 2027 for continuity of good governance and youth development.”
Aare TAT disclosed that sports development in Ejigbo will not stop with football.
“Just a few months ago, we had our maiden edition of Box Up Ejigbo for boxing development. Now it is football, tomorrow it could be table tennis, Scrabble, snooker or basketball”.
“It is all about catching them young and developing their potentials. I implore the youths to watch out for the next edition, it will be bigger and better.”
Investigator news reports that the colourful final attracted Councilors, Supervisory Councilors, Special Advisers,SSAs,party chieftains,ward leaders, youth groups, football scouts and hundreds of residents across Ejigbo LCDA, bringing down the curtain on a tournament that has now become the biggest street soccer fiesta in Ejigbo.
For the leader of the house,Hon Gabriel Shobande,it was a big celebration for him and the good people of Ilamoshe ward.
