All roads led to the ancient city of Abeokuta as the 2017 GTBank – Ogun State Principals Cup came to an end on Thursday, 21st September 2017 at the M.K.O Abiola Stadium.
In the first match of the day, Iko Gateway Grammar School, Idiroko faced defending champions Muslim High School, Isolu.
Iko Gateway Grammar School did well to see off strong displays from two-time champions, Muslim High school, in a high tempo game leaving the spectators clinging to the edge of their seats. The deadlock was broken by Titilope Kayode of Muslim High School in the 13th minute while Lawrence Idowu put Iko Gateway on level terms in the 31st minute.
Both sides could not be separated after regulation time with the game ending in a 1 – 1 draw and going to penalties.
In the penalty shoot-out, Iko Gateway Grammar School defeated Muslim by 4 – 1 to emerge 2017 GTBank – Ogun State Principals Cup Champions (Female Category)
Most Valuable Player: Titilope Kayode (Muslim High School)
In the male category, 2016 2nd runner-up, Pakoto High School, Ifo took on Ipara Community Grammar School, Ijebu in a keenly contested encounter.
Pakoto dominated the game launching series of attacks but the boys from Ipara stood strong and against the run of play, Oguntola Taiwo stunned Pakoto with a sublime finish.
The Ifo boys did not lose their composure as they continued to pour forward and their effort paid off when the captain, Abu Joseph scored the goal of the tournament lobbing Taiwo Oluwasegun from 35 yards in the dying minutes of the first half.
In the second half, the game opened up with Ipara also throwing men forward to counter Pakoto’s incursion. At the end of the game, neither side could come up with the winning goal after failing to convert their chances.
In the penalty shoot-out, Pakoto High School came out tops, winning by 3 – 2 and becoming the 2017 GTBank – Ogun State Principals Cup Champions (Male Category).
Most Valuable Player: Abu Joseph (Pakoto High School)
The occasion was not just all about the round leather game, as the Ogun State NYSC band and Kaffy Dance group came out during intervals to entertain spectators with wonderful performances.
This year’s champions were both awarded N1,000,000 each while the first, second and third runners-up got N750,000, N500,000, and N350,000 respectively.
The event was graced by several top dignitaries namely: Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and his wife, Dr Olufunsho Amosun, Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo and Managing Director, Guaranty Trust Bank, Mr Segun Agbaje.
Speaking about the finals, the Managing Director of GTBank, Segun Agbaje, said, “We are proud to lead this initiative that provides an avenue for students to showcase their talents and passion for the game of football even as they remain committed to their academics.”
Check more photos from the finals below:
Fela is the Co-founder of MediaVision Limited .
