Ojetoye Waliu Kolapo, captain of Ikorodu City FC, speaks about the team’s performance in the recently concluded LSFA Pre-Season Tournament, particularly their thrilling match against Trade Safe FC, which ended in a 2-2 draw during normal time and culminated in a nail-biting penalty shootout, ultimately won by Trade Safe with a score of 11-10.
In an interview with Sports 247, Kolapo began by expressing his thoughts on their journey in the tournament, stating, “It was a good start for us. We made our way to the final, and both teams had their opportunities on the field. They capitalized on theirs, and then we fought back. It was a back-and-forth battle. Penalty shootouts are always tense. We didn’t lose because they were superior to us; luck favoured them today. It was their day.”
When asked about his mindset during the crucial penalty kicks, he revealed, “I didn’t have much going through my mind. Taking penalty kicks is not new to me. I knew I had to step up and take the penalty, even though I was dealing with muscle discomfort. I had a plan in my mind about where to place the ball.”
Reflecting on the emotions he and the team experienced when they missed a penalty, Kolapo expressed his disappointment, saying, “It was a tough moment for us. Losing the tournament, especially as defending champions from the previous two years, and then reaching the final only to lose in a penalty shootout, was a bitter experience for me. This is my third year coming here with the aim of lifting the winning trophy, so I feel really disheartened.”
Kolapo concluded on an optimistic note, highlighting the importance of this tournament as preparation for future challenges, saying, “This tournament serves as preparation for bigger things. We recognize that there are ongoing improvements and corrections needed every day. I hope the coaches identify the areas requiring improvement, and we will continue to work hard and make the necessary adjustments as we move forward.”
