On a frenetic third and concluding day of the group stage of the Jagaban Cup 2022, Messiah FC punctured the aspirations of 36 Lion from qualifying for the final of the tournament and will now contest the grand finale and the race for the top prize against Smart City FC on Friday November 18th.

36 Lion and Smart City FC were in vantage position to nick the tickets to the final of the tournament earmarked to gather electoral support for the Presidential Candidate of All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2023 elections, after the conclusion of Day Two matches.

But while one went according to script at the end of the group games on Thursday, things changed for the second dramatically.

Before Thursday games, Jagaban Cup 2022 finalists, Messiah FC were in fourth position and were not among the teams expected to finish in the top two but they defeated De Potters FC and MFM by identical 2-1 to move to the top with nine points from four games.

Earlier, favourites, 36 Lion were forced to a goalless by Badagry United who played the spoilers’ role to record only their second point of the tournament. The draw proved to be suitable for the second spot after the Lions earned seven points from four games.

Relegated from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) last season, MFM fell short at the last moments too to pick a top-two spot in the tournament after they were surprisingly beaten by Messiah in a game a win would have taken them to top spot in Group A. They finished third with five points.

In Group B, Smart City ended in top spot with seven points despite losing their last group game to FC Bethel 1-0. They had better goals difference than Ikorodu City and FC Bethel who also finished with seven points each.

Ikorodu City shocked football purists to finish in the top two. They were bottom of the group on Day Two but chalked up two important wins on Thursday against FC Bethel and Olukismet FC by identical 1-0 each to move to the second spot. FC Bethel finished third.

The grand finale comes up on Friday between Messiah FC and Smart City FC. Before the final, 36 Lion and Ikorodu City will trade tackles to determine the third best team.

In the opening Group A game played at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos, 36 Lion defeated Messiah FC 2-0 through the goals of Odom Chika and Edem Joseph while Smart City pipped Olukismet 2-1 in a Group B tie.

Alade Balogun drew the curtain raiser from the penalty spot in the 26th minute for Smart City and he doubled the advantage in the 42nd minute for his second goal of the game. Olukismet reduced the goals arrears in the 49th minute through Abdulrazaq Ridwan.

In another game played, Lateef Ganiu’s late double sealed a 2-0 win for De Potters over hard fighting Badagry United FC while FC Bethel relied on Taiwo Adebayor’s 40th minute strike to tame Jo Sportyne 1-0.

Relegated MFM managed to defeat 36 Lion 2-1 in the fifth game of the opening day of hostilities to hand the Lions their first defeat of the tournament. Saliu Murtala popped up with the opener for the Olukoya Boys in the 28th minute but 36 Lion replied with the equaliser in the 43rd minute through Ede Joseph. MFM had the last laugh when Ishyaku Yusuf swept the ball into the top corner for what turned out to be the winning goal in the 54th minute.

Day One fixtures was completed with the exciting 1-1 draw between Ikorodu City and Smart City FC.

At the end of the first day of hostilities, De Potters are atop in Group A with three points from one game while 36 Lion and MFM FC are second and third with three points each also but Lions have played two games. Badagry United and Messiah FC are fourth and fifth with no point yet.

In Group B, Smart City are at the top with four points from two games. FC Bethel are second with three points while Ikorodu City are in third spot with a point. Olukismet and Jo Sportyne are yet to secure any point.

The Jagaban Cup games continue on Wednesday morning at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.

Jagaban Cup was put together to canvass for APC Presidential Flagbearer, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2023 General Elections.

De Potters, FC Bethel, Olukismet, Jo Sportyne and 36 Lion would participate at the tournament.

Others are Smart City, Badagry United, MFM FC, Ikorodu City and Messiah FC.

Competition will hold from November 15th to 18th at Mobolaji Johnson Arena.

Coordinator, Wale Joseph said participants have started preparation and assured Lagosians of a wonderful tournament.

Organizers are targeting at least five thousand youths who will be live at the Grand Finale.

Those five thousand youths will influence another 50 thousand more across various communities in Lagos through grassroot football.

Clubs would be divided into two groups of 5 teams each for a round robin style format of 70 minutes per match.

The winner of each group shall meet in the final of 40 minutes per half game (80 minutes).

The runners up of each group shall play 3rd place match of 40 minutes per half.

The project is an initiative of 36 Lion Investment, Diamond Sports and Lagos Enigma.

Top European scouts from Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Norway and Spain would be on ground to select talented players at the competition.