Ikenne-based Beyond Limits and its Ogun State counterpart Ijebu United were the first teams to secure their spots in the semi-final of the ongoing Optima Energy Gold Cup pre-season tournament.
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After the completion of Matchday 2 fixtures in Group A on Sunday, Beyond Limits and Ijebu United made it two wins out of two and garnered 6points each, but the former leads the log with a better goals difference of plus 7 goals after they put six goals past Hammola FC on Matchday 1 while the latter has plus 4 goals.
Ijebu United sealed a ticket to the knockout stage after putting two goals past bottom-place Hammola FC, to record their second win of the tourney.
After a drab first half, Eguonu Collins got the game to life hitting the first goal in the 56th minute, after he put Ijebu United in front with a good assist from tournament top scorer Ifeanyi Ihemekwele.
Twenty-one minutes to at the end of the game, Ibrahim Ajagun put the icing on the cake for Ijebu United after he made it 2-0 with a nice finish.
Beyond Limits were second to qualify from the group after they showed no mercy to former champion Sunshine Stars; who paraded more of players on trials, as they fell 2-0.
It took the newly promoted Nigeria National League team 20 minutes to drown the Owena Whales, with Onyebuchi Obasi scoring in the 6th minute from the young Sky Blue Stars’ first real chance at goal.
Kparobo Ariehi then fired home with a lovely lob over the goalkeeper for Beyond Limits’ second goal of the evening.
Both Beyond Limits and Ijebu United will on Tuesday battle for the bragging rights in Ogun State and who seals the top spot in the group, while Sunshine Stars and Hammola FC will battle for pride.
The 11th edition of Nigeria’s esteemed is taking place at the Remo Stars International Stadium and FC Ebedei Stadium in Apele-Sagamu, Ogun State.
