Just as the female team did on Thursday, the Lagos male football team beat Team Delta to win gold medal in the final decided at the Maracana Stadium inside the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, north central Nigeria, Friday evening.
Delta team, who had in their minds to revenge the defeat of their female team in the hands of Lagos girls in the female final, were disappointed because the Eko boys were too much for them in the final that ended 1-0..
Right from the blast of the whistle, Lagos boys showed that they were not in equal level with the Delta boys as they were in control of the encounter. They missed many scoring chances in the first half, but the god of soccer smiled on the team in the second half when Lagos played their first corner of the match.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that a header from Lagos’ number 13 jersey player, Aruna Hassan caught Delta goalkeeper unaware, before he knew what was happening, the female referee on duty, has whistled to signal a goal for the Eko boys.
It was this lone goal the Lagos team defended to seal a football goal for the state.
To Hassan, who scored the winning goal, the victory was a moment of joy for him and other teammates, adding that he would savour it for sometime to come.
“I am so happy because this is the first time I will compete at a big tournament like this. I want to appreciate the Lagos State Sports Commission and the Lagos FA for the opportunity given us to represent Lagos at the Youth Games,” Hassan said.
Dr Kweku Adedayo Tandoh commended the team for displaying a high level of soccer artistry that gave them the golden victory.
“This is another testimony to show that we are on right tracks in Lagos state. These boys are fantastic. I want to commend the Lagos State Football Association led by Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi.
” In Lagos, we are mindful of our athletes future. That is why we combined both academic and sports together for them. I’m so happy for the team and for this football gold” he said.
The Director of Sports Development (DSD), Kolawole Moses praises the boys for doing Lagos proud by ensuring Delta State team were given a beating of their lives again.
“These boys are fantastics. They made us proud,” he said.