Akure: Shine FC of Akure emerged victorious against Academy FC in the final preliminary match of the President Bola Tinubu Sports Festival, organised by the Grassroots Movement for Tinubu (GMT), Ondo State chapter. The match concluded the preliminary rounds of the festival, which began on November 6 and wrapped up on December 9, setting the stage for the grand finale where zone representatives will compete for the overall title.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the preliminary rounds took place across multiple locations, including Owo, Ikare, Okitipupa, Ondo, and concluded in Akure. The decisive match in Akure, held at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) sports ground, was tightly contested, ending in a 1-1 draw during regulation time before Shine FC clinched victory in a penalty shoot-out, winning 5-4. This victory secured Shine FC’s position as the representative for the Akure zone in the festival’s grand finale.
Assistant Coach Henry Owomoyela of Shine FC credited the team’s success to their dedication, hard work, and experience gained from participating in various competitions, which improved their form and cohesion. He assured fans of their commitment to intensifying efforts to win the inaugural edition of the sports festival.
Academy FC’s Coach Friday Rasheed acknowledged the match’s difficulty, conceding that the better team won on the day, but expressed his confidence in his team’s ability to rebound from the loss.
Meanwhile, GMT’s Director-General in Ondo State, Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, commended the organising committee for their efforts in orchestrating the event. He also praised the over 1,000 participants for their display of sportsmanship throughout the festival and expressed intentions to extend the festival’s reach by introducing new programmes for young talents discovered during the competition.