It was a star performance from 2021 Optima Energy Gold Cup runner-up Shooting Stars as they thrashed Beyond Limits in a five-goal thriller at the FC Ebedei Stadium in Sagamu.

Niger Tornadoes on its part had to wait till the opening minute of the second half to find the back of Gateway FC’s goal, to claim their first 3points at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.

The opening two fixtures of the Optima Energy Gold Cup, had six goals recorded from the two venues, with Akpan Joshua of Shooting Stars scoring the first hat-trick of the 10th edition of the preseason tournament.

It was a game of two halves in Sagamu as Beyond Limits went into the break with the lead, while the Oluyole Warriors took advantage of the Nationwide League One side minute of carelessness in the second half, to score four goals with Akpan Joshua taking home the match ball. 

Beyond Limits gave Shooting Stars a scare in the opening 10 minutes, hitting the woodwork twice but couldn’t punish the NPFL side for its sloppy defending.

The Oluyole Warriors were later pegged back after Ebenezer Akinsanmiro scored the first goal of the tourney with a cool finish at the half-hour mark.

Shooting Stars started the comeback five minutes into the second half with Isaac Afolabi making it one apiece for both teams. 

Afolabi’s goal was the tonic 3SC needed, as they were in the driving seat till the end of the game.

Two minutes later the Oluyole Warriors doubled their lead via Akpan Joshua with a strike from a well-struck free kick at the edge of the Beyond Limits box.

Akpan then made it 3-1 and his brace with a thunderous strike from 30yards in the one-hour mark. He then completed the goal rout with his third within 15 minutes, from the spot kick after he was hacked in the box.

In the Tornadoes and Gateway FC fixture, the 2019 Optima Energy Gold Cup champions had to sweat it out to beat the NNL side.

After a goalless first half, it appeared that Coach Abubakar Bala half time pep talk was the spur his Ikon Allah boys needed, as in the 50th minute, Hamza Mohammed got the needed goal off an assist from Musa Wakili.

Shooting Stars now have a date to keep with Gombe United on Saturday while Tornadoes host new boys Hammola FC on Friday.

The Creative Championship regular football season has ended with Beyond Limits winning the league and Dino Sporting Club claiming the Cup.

But the memories of the just concluded season would continue to linger on, notably for clubs like Dino SC.

The young team assembled by Coach Godwin Gibson started the regular season on a low but picked themselves up through it and became a strong contenders for the title.

The Boys of Samuel Columbus were among the best teams both in the TCC League and the Cup competition.

Dino SC made a remarkable history in the just concluded season with memorable statistics.

They recorded more away wins (6) in the just concluded Creative Championship League, same with the eventual league winners, Beyond Limits and Dannaz FC.

Dino only dropped six points at home which translated to three home draws in the regular season.

Coach Godwin Gibson is looking forward to another exciting season with Dino as he expect to build a more stronger team that can compete and wrestle the title with Beyond Limits.

Dino Sporting Club finished the TCC League second with 34 points, eleven behind the winners Beyond Limits.

They would then gone on to win the TCC Cup by beating Beyond Limits 2-1 in the final, even with ten men.

The match played at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne had all the flash and talking points one would expect in a cup final but it was Dino who triumph with a 2-1 win.

After an opening exchange of control from both sides, Dino took the lead in the 25th minutes when Okiemute Adagharagba latched onto a pass from Fabian Sylvanus.

Beyond Limits pressurized Dino well in the closing stages of the first half and could had an equalizer but Musa Abdullahi’s shot at the edge of the 18-yard went wide, that was after Onyebuchi Obasi pulled his free-kick wide.

The second half was more fierce and explosive but Dino wouldn’t want a repeat of last season when they lost in the final and they took the initiative to get the second goal in earnest.

Just under three minutes into restart, the boys of Samuel Columbus got their second goal when Adekunle Elijah placed his curling effort beyond limits of the opposing goalkeeper from close range.

Coach Gibson of Dino effect three changes to put his boys in control of the game and protect their lead but Beyond Limits boys, playing in front of heir fans won’t give up easily. They staged a late rally and deservedly got what would then be a consolation on the stroke of time when Onyebuchi Obasi scored.

Moments after the goal, Dino were reduced to 10 men when Blessing Essien was given a marching order following a melee between players of both sides, but Dino held on to secure the victory which earned them their maiden trophy.

Head Coach of Dino Sporting Club, Godwin Gibson has praised his side’s remarkable character in their comeback win over Gbagada FC to secure a place in the 2022 Creative Championship Cup final.

Dino rallied to record 1-1 draw against their rivals before producing wonderful performance in the shootouts that ended 4-3 in favor Samuel Columbus boys on Sunday at the Remo Stadium in Ikenne.

Akibu had shot Gbagada into a first half lead before Hassan Agbede equalized for Dino with five minutes to full time.

An elated Gibson told OnwardNews24 after the game that his boys’ resolve not to give earned them a place in the final which they would strive to win.

“It was a well contested game and I don’t know what to say, I’m very impressed with the players. We conceded a goal in the first half and they came back ,and kept fighting until we got the equalizer.”

“It was a very good performance. We created many chances, but couldn’t finish them. However I thank God that we managed to pull through at the tail end.”

The victory means, Dino SC will face Beyond Limits in the final after the TCC League champions pipped Imperial FC in the second semi final and Coach Gibson said his side will be ready to for it.

We are aware of their qualities, we have played them before as well, so we’ll go back and continue working. It is our desire to lift this cup and we have to continue working to achieve this.” Godwin Gibson concluded.

The duo of Tiawo Hassan Agbede and Okoro Hycainth Ogonna from Dino Sporting Club will be writing their names in gold as they will be playing in the prestigious Veraggio Football Tournament in Italy.

The youngsters will be representing Alex Transfiguration F.A (ATFA) along other talented footballers from Beyond Limit against Sassuolo FC in the 72nd edition of the tournament.

The team had earlier made history haven reached the Round of 16 making them the first African team to achieve that feat.

President of Dino SC, Samuel Columbus who expressed delight with the performance of his boys said their progress was part of the club’s vision promising to give more focus and attention to the club.

Dino SC are also participating in the Creative Championship League where they are second on the log.