By Wale Mustapha

Call it a revenge match between Valiant FC and Dino Sporting Club on Sunday, you are not mistaken as result reflected that.

It was a masterclass performance for Dino SC as they recorded a commanding 4-2 win at Valiant FC in the Matchday 11 of The Creative Championship, TCC League.

Recall Dino had lost at home to Valiant in the reverse fixture fortnight ago as the same venue.

The boys of Coach Godwin Gibson upped their game in the match played at the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu Ode, thanks to hat trick from Hyacinth Ogonna for Dino.

Daneil Effiong is the other goal scorer for Dino SC to record their fourth win of the season and accrued 15 points from 11 games.

A brace from Abiodun Toheeb for Valiant were rendered as consolation.

It is expected that the latest victory will put Dino back to their usual form.

However the boys will the aiming to banish the ghosts of defeats and return to winning ways when they welcome the Blue Eagles of Gbagada in their TCC MatchDay 7 fixture.

Hovering dangerously around the bottom of the log, Coach Godwin Gibson’s men have managed only one win in their last five outings.

The problem with team seems to be defending, rather than goal-scoring.

They have scored in four of their last five games, but they are paying for failing to shutout their opponents.

In addition, they have kept just one clean sheet all season long, and have shipped in 11 goals in their current TCC campaign.

At home this weekend, they have to tackle a Gbagada team that bounced back to winning ways last week – against Valiant.

The Blue Eagles may just have momentum on their side going into this game.

However, the TCC Cup holders will be hoping for a good day in front of their home crowd… and maximum points to crown a good day’s work at the office.

STAT ATTACK

Dino have managed to keep only one clean sheet this season. Leaky

FORM

Dino SC – LLWLL

Gbagada – DDLLW

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.

A goal in each half from Ikechukwu Friday and Okiemute Adagharagba ensured Dino Sporting Club defeated Dannaz FC by 2-0 on Sunday and will see them finish the Creative Championship, TCC League as runners up for second successive season.

The victory at the Legacy Pitch in Lagos capped a brilliant season for Dino who had experienced a difficult start to the TCC League but rallied to went eight and five unbeaten at different occasions.

The last time both sides met Dannaz stole the win with a 1-0 result.
Dino returned the favor this time and picked the important three points to finish second place, behind back to back champions, Beyond Limits.

Coach Gibson’s side will remember this one as memorable one where they climbed out of the ‘trenches’ and roared their way to the top.

With a game to spare, Dino won’t mind to bother on the fixture following the victory at Dannaz as they already have 34 points, one above Gbagada FC who have completed their season on Saturday following a 1-1 draw at Atlantic Business.

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.

Dino SC narrowly missed out on the title after they were beaten 3-2 by TCC Cup finalists, Gbagada FC on the final day of the season.

Speaking after the game, the seasoned administrator said, he’s satisfied with the performance of the boys and vowed to give young more platforms to showcase their talents to the world.

“It was a good tournament, the boys did pretty well, although I believe we have chances finished first and win the title, but overall I’m happy with their performance “

” Our aim as a club is to develop these youngsters and give them platform to shine, we will continue to do that, hopefully they will go on to achieve big things in their career. “

Dino SC finished second with 26 points, just two behind eventual champions Remo Stars Academy and one point above Valiant FC who themselves finished third.

The much anticipated grassroot football competition which started on Saturday at the main bowl of the MKO Abiola international stadium Kuto is expected to end on Monday.

In the opening match of the tourney, Dino Sporting club defeated Obazz Football Club of Lagos in an highly competitive match.

After the first game,Mr Samuel Omamofe Columbus who is also the organiser of the tourney told the media that he’s how the football festival is going and he said they are ready to discover more talents.

“What we are having here is more of pre season tourney and we satisfied with how things is going.

” You know we have not had football for about eight months and we don’t know when the NLO will commence, maybe it’s next year, so everybody is just trying to keep themselves busy and involved in one thing or the other.”

“We are also having a scout program here and agents are also present here just to see if we can get one or two players out there”.

The seasoned football administrator also confirmed that talented players have been spotted, but they are hoping to discover more.

“We had a match already, between my club, Dino Sporting club and Obazz FC of Lagos, it was very interesting match and the scout has spotted about four players, but we still want to see the players in another game, because sometimes, a match is not enough to determine who is a good player.” He added .

Total number of eight clubs are competing in the tournament which is expected to last for three days.