Gbagada FC Boss Eyes Lagos East Unity Cup

Segun Olulade, representing Epe Constituency 1 in Lagos House of Assembly (right) with former Nigerian goalkeeper, Peter Rufai during public presentation of Lagos East Unity Cup recently.

 

The team manager of Gbagada Football Club of Lagos, Olajide Akinyelu has expressed confidence that his team are favourite to win the ongoing Lagos East Unity Cup.

 The tournament, which kicked off recently at Gbagada Sports Centre, is being sponsored by a member of Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Bayo Osinowo popularly known as Peperrito.

Akinyelu said his players are in high spirits and they are ready to take their opponents to cleaner in their opening match. He explained that his team are yet to know their opponents because his team are be grouped after the draw. He revealed that any team that come their way should prepare for war.

“We are a formidable team and we are a team with discipline. We are waiting for our opponents because we are one of the seeded teams in this tournament. Our target is to reach the final and possibly win the cup because we are not coming to the tournament with jamboree,” said Akinyelu who is optimistic that his team would go far in the tournament.

Meanwhile, the Chairman Organising Committee, Kemac Emina said the cup donor has announced the sum of N3 million as a prize money for the winners of  Gold Cup tagged ‘Lagos East Unity Cup scheduled to kick off next month in designated centres in the state.

Osinowo who is representing Kosofe Constituency 1 in Lagos State House of Assembly and who also doubles as the cup donor charged the organizers to give all participating teams equal chances in the tournament. He revealed that the winners of this year’s edition would go home with the sum of NI million with a giant trophy, while the first runners-up would pocket N700,000 with a trophy and third position will smile home with N500,000

According to the sponosor, fourth position  will receive N300,000, while all the quarter finalists will get N100,000 each for reaching the last eight of the tournament.

Osinowo, an All Progressives Congress, APC  Senatorial candidate for Lagos East Senatorial District in the 2019 general elections said he is sponsoring the tournament because of the passion he has for the round leather game, adding that his gesture has no political connection. He therefore wished all the participating teams all the best in their outings.

Osinowo tasked the organizers, players and football fans to shun violence that can bring the tourney into disrepute during and after the game. He also urged the organizers to take disciplinary action on players, teams or fans who cause trouble during and after the game.

Among the venues the competition is taking place are Epe, Ikorodu and Gbagada