Remo Stars fought back from 2 goals down to beat MFM FC 3-2 in an enthralling encounter on Matchday three.
The Olukoya boys went ahead in the second minute of the game after Dennis Obasi beat Henry Ayodele in goal to score the opener. Dennis Obasi scored his third goal of the tournament after heading home Ndubusi Pascal’s cross in the 58th minute.
Remo Stars got back in the game with a fine header from Andy in the 67th minute, before Seun Ogunribide leveled scoring with a stunning free kick.
Remo Stars won a penalty in the 85th minute after Andrew was fouled inside the area and Sunday Williams calmly scored from the spot to hand Remo Stars their second win of the tournament.
Sunshine Stars continued with their impressive run after beating Niger Tornadoes 3-1 in their second game of the tournament.
First half ended with no goals as both sides failed to convert their chances.
Samson Olasupo broke the deadlock in the 46th minute before Igbudu Alpha restores parity in the 58th of the game.
With 10 minutes to go, Pius Ojo hit a strike which went through Yinka David in goal and Sunshine Stars went ahead again in the game.
Niger Tornadoes mounted pressure on Sunshine Stars in search of an equalizer but a counter attack from the Akure-based team saw Samson Olasupo completing his brace in the 90th minute.
Kwara United beat Gateway United 3-1 with a dominant display to become the first team to qualify for the Semifinals of the 2021 Dapo Abiodun Preseason tournament.
Alao Danbani opened scoring in the 36th minute. Despite the heavy downpour, Gateway United got back in the game, after Odushina Sunkami restored parity in the 48th minute.
Kwara United went ahead in the 73rd minute, after Adeshina Gata put a stunning strike past Araromi Ibukun in goal. Abdulsalam Abdulsalam scored the third goal in the 75th minute after receiving a good cross from Chizoba Amafuele.
POST-MATCH INTERVIEW:
Remo Stars coach, Gbenga Ogunbote spoke about the importance of preseason and why he has to use all his players.
“The importance of preseason tournament(s) is to access our players and view how ready we are for the season. We have been playing daily and we have to manage our squad, our performance dropped in the first half and we pushed the boys to up their game in the second half.
“It’s a preparatory period for the team, even though we want to win but we need to play all our players and access them. We need to see our weaknesses and make amends before the season. It was a good game, the mindset was strong. Our first goal was a defensive blunder and we were still able to play solid at the back after the mistake.
“We review our performance in the first half and correct our mistakes. I told my players if we can stand firm and get a goal we will end up with a positive result. I kept telling my players that the game is not over until the final whistle, we keep pushing, make substitutions, and got our decisions right in the attack.” Ogunbote said.
The tournament sponsored by Bet9ja and Value Jet is an initiative of Otunba Tade Azeez, President Nigeria Referees Association.
