It was a thrilling final day showdown in Ilorin Kwara State capital on Sunday as Kwara Football Academy (KFA) boys emerged champions of the inaugural season of the Pro Route League.
The KFA boys who had to wait for the result of the last game of the league had their resolve put to test when another title contender, FC Zeus faced La Planet Sport Academia in a decisive clash.
FC Zeus stole the show early in the game when Ogungbenro Mustapha found the back of the net off a defensive mishap from La Planet.
While they held on to the advantage and had their sights on the title, the tide of the game swung in the last minute when Majeed Morrow converted a penalty for La Planet to force FC Zeus to a painful 1-1 draw, thus handing the KFA the ultimate advantage in the fight for the title.
KFA had earlier defeated Barrier FA 3-0 to take their tally to 32 points on the log, the result which eventually earned them the edge against FC Zeus, who finished second on the log with 31 points after the draw with La Planet.
Nothing short of thrills, excitement, and spectacle as stakeholders and football fans trooped out en masse to watch the final day fixtures of the league which was held at the KFA main pitch.
With a total number of Eight teams and 56 games(home and away format), the Pro Route League came to a glorious end on Sunday, setting a benchmark for subsequent editions amid glowing commendations from all and sundry.
Part of the highlights of the league’s final day was the presentation of trophy to the eventual winners, awards to outstanding players and officials.
While Coach Rasheed Adegbenro of KFA won the ‘Aliyu Zubairu Coach of the season Award, Muhammed Abdullahi of La Planet Sport Academia scooped the Taiwo Awoniyi Highest goalscorer award having netted 11 goals from 10 games in the course of the season.
FC Zeus’ duo of Hannafi Moshood and Samson Funsho won the Gloden Glove and Most Valuable Player Awards, respectively, leaving the team with what could be described as a consolation after an impressive campaign.
For being a source of inspiration and community pride,The duo of Nottingham Forest and Super Eagles striker, Taiwo Awoniyi and Head Coach of Nigeria’s Flying Eagles, Coach Aliyu Zubairu who also doubles as the Technical Adviser of Elkanemi Warriors of Maiduguri were also presented with special merit awards by the organisers of the league
Among other dignitaries at the well attended event was the Executive Chairman of Kwara State Sports Commission; Coach Bola Mogaji, Chairman of Kwara State Football Association; Mallam Idris Abdullahi Thuraya and a host of other personalities.
