The Beyond Limit Football Academy have ended Remo Stars dream of becoming champions of Ogun FA Cup for 2023.
The Academy side outscored its senior team 3-2 as the Nigeria Professional Football League side failed to progress after inability to win their first match of the competition.
Remo Stars joined the competition in the quarterfinals but the youngsters came from behind twice to secure semifinal slot in state FA Cup
The U-19 side will now progress to the semifinals of the competition at the expense of the Sky Blue Stars.
Remo Stars started the match with two of their recent academy graduates, Olisa Emmanuel and Seun Odunsi, included in the XI against the side where they earned their stripes. For Beyond Limits who just won a third consecutive title at the TCC League, they were captained by Onyebuchi Obasi, another who was promoted to the first team but has yet to make an appearance.
Remo Stars took the lead within 13 minutes as Haruna Hadi was on hand to flick home a header at the near post following a cross from a free-kick by Stanley Okorom.
The academy kids took only two minutes to find an equaliser as Obasi saw a dangerous cross into the box stopped by the hand of a defender. Shola Ogundana stepped up and scored the resultant spot kick in the 15th minute.
Remo Stars retook the lead in the 55th minute through influential forward Samuel Anakwe, who fired home from inside the box following a cutback.
Again, it took Beyond Limits only two minutes to draw themselves level after they were awarded a second penalty. Ogundana beat the goalkeeper but not the woodwork, before Farouq Ogundare arrived on the scene to tuck home the rebound.
Beyond Limits went in front for the first time in the game in the 70th minute when Adnan Kabiru scored a peach of a goal, finding the top corner of the net from the edge of the box.
Remo Stars huffed and puffed in the final 20 minutes of the encounter, with Anakwe seeing an effort come back off the woodwork. Ultimately, they fell to the U-19 team in a result that will bring mixed emotions to the club’s hierarchy.
Beyond Limits will now progress to the semifinals as they look to secure a place in the national FA Cup.
