Both teams tried to outwit themselves while trying to take their chances during the game.

Bare City had the better of the early incursions as they dominated play in the opening 20 minutes missing several scoring chances. They were eventually punished for their profligacy.

Striker Doslam Dawi was star man of the game as his goalscoring skills was a delight to close to 3000 fans that watched the epic final.

Balanga United in the second half, dominated play and deservedly scored through Dawi’s brace.

The end result saw the Balanga United team winning the match 2-0, then claiming the trophy of the 5th edition of the Adamu Yola Cup.

Meanwhile, in the third place, All Stars walloped Balanga LGA 7-0.

For winning the tournament, Balanga United were rewarded with the sum of Four hundred and fifty thousand naira (N450,000). Second placed team Bare City got Three hundred thousand naira (N300,000), while third placed All Stars received One hundred and fifty thousand naira (N150,000).

Bute, Dawi sweep Adamu Yola Cup individual awards

The duo of All Stars and Balanga United strikers, Michael Bute and Boslam Dawi bagged individual awards at the 5th edition of the Adamu Yola Cup held in Gombe South.

Bare City lost the final of the Adamu Yola Cup 2-0 to Balanga United at Billiri Township Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

Bute and Dawi swept the players’ award in different categories after their impressive performances at the just concluded event.

Michael Bute who played a vital role for his team scored four goals and created two assists. That performance won the tourney’s top scorer gong.

Boslam Dawi’s superb form upfront for Balanga United played a major part for his team’s quest to winning the 65-team grassroots competition.

The striker was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament ahead of Bute and Bare City’s Jacob John.

All Stars reached the last four with a lone goal victory over Liverpool of Bambam.

Balanga United won 4-3 on penalties against Awai United after playing 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes.

Bare City and Pero Boys failed to find the cutting edge as they played out 0-0 in their Quarter-Final fixture. Goalkeeper Zakka Akawu was the hero as he saved three kicks in the penalty shootouts. It ended 3-1.

Meanwhile, Balanga LGA fought from a goal down to edge Panwa 2-1.

A brace from Agabus Anawuna cancelled out Saidu Yusuf’s strike.

Winners from the two semi-final games will lock horns in the finals on 30th December 2020.

Semi-Final Pairings

All Stars Vs Balanga United

Bare City Vs Balanga LGA

A 24th minute strike from Sani Ali Bage was enough as All Stars secured their semi-final berth in a nail biting quarter final game against Liverpool.

The second match of the afternoon was entertaining, as it was an end to end affair between Balanga United and Awai United.

Both sides matched each other man for man as they entertained the fans at the Billiri Township Stadium.

With the first half ending without a goal, the second half burst into life in rather bizarre manner as Balanga United scored the first goal in the 77th minute through Aliyu Garba off a well crafted cross from Abubakar Manu.

A minute later, Awai United responded instantly with some fancy footwork from Titus Adamu as he beat three players before setting up Sadiq Yakubu who gracefully fired a left footed rocket to send the Awai fans to frenzy.

Both sides were unable to net the decisive winner as the referee signaled for the final whistle. The game headed into penalty shout out.

Awai United missed two spotkicks as Balanga United scored four to qualify 4-3.