BENIN CITY – THE defending Champions of Peter Obaseki Football Tournament in Ovia, Cocoa FC on Sunday forced the competition debutants Okeayo FC to 2-2 draw in the opening match of the ongoing 10th edition of the annual football fiesta.
The tension-soaked encounter played at the main bowl of Igbogor Primary School field no doubt lived up to the expections of football enthusiasts as both teams went into the match with winning mentalities
Cocoa boys as they are fondly called by their supporters hope of commencing this year’s tournament on a winning note were frustrated as they fought out a high-quality draw against the new comers.
Okeayo were left to rue their missed chances as the Cocoa boys escaped with a point to keep their pride
A flying start from the debutants was rewarded with Masudi Abubakar’s low drive that found the back of the net of their opponents in the 24th minutes of play, but the defending champions levelled up with beautiful shot after a beautiful interchange between Cocoa striking force within the box.
But on the stroke of halftime, Okeayo took the lead again through Joe John to end the first half 2-1.
On resumption of hostilities in the second half, Cocoa boys took the battle to their opponents backyard as they search for quick equaliser
the Cocoa farmers who started the second half with an intent to make amends were fortunate not to have conceded a third goal following a wayward back pass which was intercepted by the on rushing Okeayo attacker whose ferocious shot was inch away from the goal.
However, Cocoa coach did introduce two players in the 78 minutes of play to make a 4-man attacking approach
The coach’s brave approach paid off almost immediately as Okeayo goalkeeper was made to rush off his line to deny a good bound move.
Cocoa, though, managed to compose themselves after the clearance made by the goalkeeper as they picked holes in their opponents backline
Cocoa was rewarded with the equaliser in the 80th minutes of play as their attacker launched on a rebound to cannon the ball into the back of Okeayo’s net to make it 2-2.
Cocoa were now in the ascendancy as they continue to drill a low shots inches wide.
The defending champions nearly made the most of their reprieve afterwards as Okeayo goalkeeper had to save at his near post to deny Cocoa taken the lead.
Okeayo tested Cocoa goalkeeper again in the half, but it was Cocoa who took more control and had the better openings as the game ended in a tie.
Speaking with OBSERVERSports shortly after the match, skipper of Cocoa FC, Ajayi Gabriel Adeola, expressed disappointment in the result, adding that they are going to play their next game with different approach
“We are going to improve on our play in our next match”, he said.
He advised the organisers to do more in the area of publicity which according to him will create the needed awareness nationwide.
On his part, Captain of the Okeayo FC, Ibrahim Adekunle (a.k.a R2), expressed satisfaction over the result which he said was not bad especially as the competition debutants.
He said that his team is not afraid of any team in the competition as they in the tournament to win.
Addressing journalists after the encounter, the the Shepard of the competition, Rev Fr. Alexander Ugu, said the aim of the competition which attracted people from Ondo State and the entire Ovia is to galvanized the youths towards productive venture in the area of football as well as coming together to enhance friendship.
He commended the sponsor, Mr. Peter Obaseki for organising the tournament annually which also aimed at discovering talents, assuring that more talents would be discovered in this year’s edition.
He disclosed that individual awards would be given at the end of the competition stressing that spearheading the competition is part of his youth evangelism in the locality.
