The Optima Energy Gold Cup recorded another feast of goals at the Remo Stars International Stadium on Saturday morning; as Beyond Limits nailed Hammola FC 6-1 in a Group A Matchday 2 fixture, while former champions Niger Tornadoes came from a goal down to share the spoils with new NNL entrant Tradesafe FC at the FC Ebedei Stadium.
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Beyond Limits Biliaminu Abdullahi produced a Man of the Match performance after he became the second player to bag a hat-trick in the pre-season tourney, scoring two sublime goals in the second half to the delight of Ikenne fans.
The Ido-Osun-based team got the first real chance to score the first goal but was denied by the woodwork within 12 minutes of play.
Eight minutes later, Awoeye Ajibola put Hammola in front from a clever set piece taken at the edge of the box to beat Daniel Ayenugba in goal for Beyond Limits.
It was a quick response from Beyond Limits after Farouq Ogundare scored the equalizing goal from a beautiful team play; finding the bottom corner of Hammola’s goal in the 24th minute, as the first half ended 1-1.
A turn of events for Beyond Limits as they were in the driving seat in the second half, putting four goals past Hammola FC with fun.
Coach Olimde Beyond Limits scored two goals within three minutes after they had the chance to go in front for the first time in this game in the 54th after Onyebuchi Obasi connects well with Kparobo but Hammola FC goalkeeper made a reflex save to deny the newly promoted Nigeria National League team.
Hammola’s defense failed to cut the attacking prowls of their opponent, leaving Kparobo to make it 2-1 for Beyond Limits in the 56th minute.
It was Biliaminu Abdullahi’s first of the game in the 58th minute after he gave his team a two-goal cushion to make it 3-1.
Biliaminu then got his brace in the 67th and Beyond Limits’ fourth goal to the anguish of Hammola FC’s back four and shot-stopper following a poor defending.
Ridwan Mogaji later poured salt on Hammola FC’s injury in the 79th minute with a beautiful tap-in to make 5-1 in what looks like the biggest scoreline of the 11th edition of the prestigious Optima Energy Gold Cup tourney.
There was a last goal to come with five minutes to end the game after Biliaminu made it 6-1 for Beyond Limits and took the match ball home for his hat-trick.
Biliaminu now ties with Ifeanyi Ihemekweele of Ijebu United, as joint top scorers of the tournament with three (3) goals each.
At the FC Ebedei Stadium in Apele-Sagamu, both goals were scored at each end, and it was debutant Tradesafe that got the first goal in Group B which came from Omotayo Micheal in the 35th minute.
Tornadoes had to pressure Tradesafe’s defense for half the hour to level the score in the 65th minute via a strike from Akintunde Azeez.
Action resumes with Matchday 2 fixtures on Sunday in Ikenne and Apele-Sagamu.
