Semi finalists have emerged in the 2024 Optima Energy Gold Cup Pre-Season Football Tournament after conclusion of group games, Silvernews.com.ng reports.
FC Ebedei broke a 12-year jinx in the Optima Energy Gold Cup, as they joined title holders and newly promoted NPFL side Beyond Limits, Shooting Stars Sports Club, 3SC and Association Sportive de la Vallée de l’Ouémé (ASVO) FC of Benin Republic in the last four of the 12th edition of the pre-season tournament.
Beyond Limits sealed their semi final spot after a 4-2 trouncing of Ijebu United in a six-goal thriller, a sumptuous win that saw them finish top of Group A with 9 points.
After recording a loss on Matchday 1 and a draw on Matchday 2 against Ijebu United, ASVO FC gave themselves a huge boost as the Beninese team defeated KASAM FA 2-1 to go second in the group with 4points, while the duo of KASAM FA and Ijebu United waved goodbye to the championship, as they finished third and fourth on the log with 3points and a point each.
It was an interesting contest in Group B as the two semi-finalists had to decided on the final Matchday, as Shooting Stars 4points, FC Ebedei 4points, Osun United 1point and newly promoted Ikorodu City 1point, were all in contention for the available two slots.
At the end of Group B Matchday, 3 fixtures, which were played simultaneously at the Remo Stars Stadium and FC Ebedei Stadium on Tuesday, produced some fireworks.
It was a five-goal thriller at the Remo Stars Stadium as Ikorodu City missed the chance of making it to the semi-final despite beating Osun United 3-2.
At the FC Ebedei Stadium, the Oliseh Boys were top of their game as they came back from a goal down to share the spoils with Shooting Star, to book their first ever semi-final spot in Optima Energy Gold Cup preseason tournament after 12 attempts.
Shooting Stars and FC Ebedei became the third and fourth team to book a place in the knockout stage after they garnered 5points each.
