30th December, 2010
Chief Coach of Maradona Football Club, Sulaiman Togun, has expressed disappointment over the defeat of his team by Merciful Tree Football club of Ifako-Ijaiye in the final of Alaro Cup, which was played on Sunday.
Maradona lost 1-4 to Merciful Tree in the penalty shootout after one goal apiece at the regulation time. The match was watched by a large crowd at the Nigerian Army Resettlement Centre, Command, Ipaja.
Togun told GSG that he was not impressed with the performance of his team, saying that they lost so many chances that would have resulted in goals. He said inexperience also contributed to the woeful showing of the team.
“We blew our chances and we paid dearly for it. My players had the opportunity to win the match in the first half, but they played to the gallery which cost us the game,†he said..
“I believe we have learnt our lesson. We’ll go back home to prepare for the next editions,†the coach said.
Captain of Merciful Tree, Muritala Odedeji expressed gratitude to God for the victory. He said the match was keenly contested but the better side won.
Chairman Zillion Abfolad Investment Limited, Jimoh Abioye was glad with the success of the tourney, saying that this year’s edition lived up to expectations.
He told GSG that he is planning to extend the entries of the tourney from its present 16 to 32 teams. He noted that clubs from Ghana, Benin Republic and Togo will be invited to take part in the competition.
“My plan is to invite clubs from outside Nigeria to play in the next edition. I want to take this competition to the next level.Don’t forget that the tourney is not a money making venture, but organised annually in memory of my late father, Mufutau Olaniran Jimoh who died 14 years ago in Lagos,†he said.
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