Vandrezzer FC came from behind to beat defending Champions, Smart City FC 6-2 to book their place in the Lagos FA Cup final.
Smart City led 2-1 in the first half of the semifinals at the Teslim Balogun Stadium but Goals from forward Somtochukwu Abraham, substitute Chukwuebuka Ogbonna and a brace each for midfielder Kabiru Popoola and Olalekan Abdulsalam ensured VFC secured a comfortable win.
Vandrezzer FC started the stronger of the two starts in the first half dominating early possession and forcing Smart City into unforced errors. Somtochukwu capitalized on a mistimed City back pass, outpaced the defender, and smartly rounded the onrushing goalkeeper to put VFC in front.
City’s response was emphatic, as they equalized in the 39th minute through a shot that deflected off Odiong Bassey.
Smart City took the lead at the stroke of halftime after a low shot was parried away by goalkeeper Obinna into the path of Ekeocha.
Vandrezzer FC Coach, Tony Bolus made three changes at halftime, bringing on Fawaz Otun for Saheed Obisesan, Chukwuebuka for Gideon Monday, and Olalekan for Elisha Jonah to devastating effect at the start of the second half.
They restored parity just two minutes after the interval with Chukwuebuka on the scoresheet. Saviour Isaac was the instigator, received a pass at the center circle, spurned his marker, and with the outside of his right foot, scooped a through ball over the topo. to the path of Ebuka who steered the ball around the onrushing goalkeeper to level the scores.
Ebuka and Isaac went close to increasing the tally but it was midfielder Kabiru who achieved that on 56 minutes turning Saviour Isaac’s deflected freekick into the net for 3-2.
Vandrezzer FC extended the lead to 4-2 from Isaac’s 64th-minute corner kick which found Ebuka at the far post and, the forward steered onto the path of Lekan who headed in despite the close attention of the goalkeeper.
Kabiru grabbed his brace with a searing shot after a swift backheel from Somtochukwu on 72 minutes. Lekan still had time for one more, his own brace at the dead, converting a pass from substitute Anas, 6-2 it ended.
“I dedicate my first two goals for VFC to my mum, my teammates, coaches, fans, management, and everyone at the club. I feel on top of the world” – *Kabiru Poopola*
“I was very hungry to get into the game, especially after I was rested the last game. I did exactly what the coach wanted me to do. With this result, we are fired up for the final” – *Ebuka Ogbonna.*
“I dedicate the victory to God. I’m also glad all the substitutes turned the game around. I promise to keep scoring and by God’s grace we will lift the trophy”. – *Lekan Abdulsalam*
The Lions face Box to Box FC in next week’s final, as they take their last step towards claiming the prestigious trophy.
