Shooting Stars will renew its rivalry with defending champions Remo Stars in the final of the 10th edition of the Optima Energy Gold Cup.

Recall in the last edition, the Sky Blue Stars mauled the Oluwole Warriors 4-0 to claim the trophy.

It’s a record for 3SC and Coach Gbenga Ogunbote, as both are making it to a third final of the preseason tournament after the Oluyole Warriors defeat Sunshine Stars by three goals to one.

3SC produced a five-star performance to claim the bragging rights over their southwest neighbours, Sunshine Stars.

The game was full of suspense and fireworks with end-to-end football that produced four goals, and two in each half.

Anthony Okachi should have made it 1-0 for the Oluyole Warriors in the earliest period of the South West derby after his long-range shoot-on target rattled the crossbar of the Owen Whales. Sunshine Stars had their half chances but was not enough to put them ahead.

Shooting Stars took the lead in the 20th minute after good attacking teamwork, which saw Abdallahi Hassan finding the back of the net from a rebound as Mustapha Lawal punches Stone Samuel’s effort away.

Sunshine Stars didn’t let the lead last and responded 22 minutes after, as Uzoechi Ejike made it 1-1 scoring from the spot kick after a 3SC defender was penalized for a handball in the box.

Okachi, who was a thorn in the flesh of the Owena Whale defenders, turned away from his marker to shoot the ball beyond the reach of Sunshine Stars’ goalkeeper and restored 3SC’s lead.

As Sunshine Stars pushed for the equalising goal to stretch the game to a penalty shootout, they got punished in added minutes of regulation time.

A needless foul on 3SC Promise Damala in the Owena Whales box, made the referee to award a penalty against them.

And Joshua Akpan converted the spot kick, thereby putting the icing on the cake and made it 3-1 for 3SC.

The goal is Akpan’s fifth of the Optima Energy Gold Cup, thus making him the top scorer.

The final of the pre – season tournament will take place on Saturday at the Remo Stars stadium in Ikenne.

It was an inspiring showing from Sporting Lagos as they got a back-to-back win in the 10th edition of the Optima Energy Gold Cup as they shocked Gombe United at the FC Ebedei Stadium in Sagamu.

A good performance from both teams in the opening 38 minutes, as they showed quality in depth but not much of a shot on target at both ends.

Two minutes later, the real chance came for Sporting Lagos and they made the better of it, after Okon Saturday powered his way past a Gombe United defender with his strength inside the box, to shoot the ball beyond the reach of the goalkeeper.

Gombe United then resulted in high pressing as they searched for the equalising goal but Sporting Lagos were decent with their defending and not showing signs to let goal their lead.

The real chance to level the scoreline came for Gombe United from a set-piece close to the arch of Sporting Lagos box, but Sani’s effort from the well-taken free kick missed the target, to the relief of the Lagos-based team.

Sporting Lagos go top of Group B with the win with 6 points followed by Shooting Stars in the second spot with 3 points.

In the second Group A game, Sunshine Stars showed no mercy after they flogged Gateway United 3-1 to claim their first win in the Optima Energy Gold Cup at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.

The Owena Waves who were forced to a one-all draw by defending champion Remo Stars took 10 minutes to get the first goal.

Alani Azeez took advantage of  Gateway United schoolboy defending to tap into the net.

Sunshine Stars then increased their tally in the 29th minute with the second goal after Sulaimon Mojereola fired a rocket-like shot on target after he beat the off-side flag. 

This forced Gateway United to immediately reshuffle its personnel by introducing Olajide and Olukoya, as they kept it decent to the end of the 1st half.

It was the Edith Agoye lads all the way and they got the third goal after a tactical exchange of passes at the by-line, Emeka Emmanuel then appeared inside the final third to bury the past the goalkeeper in the 84th minute.

Less than 60 seconds later, Solomon Alade with a sensational strike then reduce the deficit as he scored Gateway United’s first goal in the Optima Energy Gold Cup.

Sunshine Stars who now have 4points, keep the chase on leaders Niger Tornadoes.

Poised to add value to football, private funded Nigeria National League club Sporting Lagos has partnered with the Optima Energy Gold Cup.

The Optima Energy Gold Cup, a preseason tournament for football teams in the Nigerian domestic leagues, will be hosting its 10th edition from September 22 to Independence Day, October 1st, in Ikenne and Sagamu.

Sporting Lagos Football Club is the brainchild of Shola Akinlade, Co-Founder/CEO of Paystack, Nigeria’s leading online payment platform

“Sporting Lagos is proud to partner with the Optima Energy Gold Cup which is in it’s 10th edition. We share the same dream with the organizers as we both intend to help the next football talents in Nigeria,” says Godwin Enakhena, the chairman of the club. 

According Tunde Shamsudeen, the Optima Energy Gold Cup General Coordinator stated: “We’re delighted to be associated with a tech investor, Akinlade, who is using Sporting Lagos as a platform for community development and social change.

“The partnership is a big boost and one that will be of immense benefit to both brands during the tourney.

“Private investment is what our football is lacking over the years, with Sporting Lagos coming on board, Paystack and it’s others sponsorship brands such as Abeg, PiggyVest, Renmoney and Helium Health could use the different football platforms in Nigeria to promote their products and services.

“It’s worthy to note that over the years, the Optima Energy Gold Cup has helped grow Nigerian brands, showcase the uniqueness of our football and it’s numerous talents. 

“With Sporting Lagos on board and the trio of defending champions Remo Stars, FC Ebedei, Beyond Limits and Mavlon FC, the Optima Energy Gold Cup now has a good mix of privately funded clubs and that of government.”