Smartcity FC Outsmart Basic FC in the maiden edition of ARK Football Competition

29th March 2018 would remain evergreen in the memory of SmartCity football club of Elegushi as they won the first ever Hon. Adedamola Richard Kasumu football competition defeating Basic FC to lift the coveted trophy for the championship.

The week’s long sporting event which took place at the RVTC Mini-stadium, Isheri, Ojodu-Berger, Lagos paraded 32 teams from all over the state who wrestled with one another in a knock-out series was no doubt a success.

However, the final game started with SmartCity FC of Elegushi locking horns with Basic FC of Agege which saw Basic FC No. 17 Jersey, Kenneth Zozo drawing the first blood by heading in a pullout from his teammate into the top left corner of Basic FC thereby leaving the defenders and the keeper dazed and dumbfounded just 15 minutes into the game.

Having done justice to the scoreline early enough, they kept on mounting pressure on the Basic FC defence; all in order to add to the tally and as well keep on the momentum but were constantly checkmated.

Although, Smartcity tried all they could to put one back as consolation with brilliant chances through both flanks all to no avail with the match ending in a 1-0 deficit in favour of SmartCity FC which lasted till the end of first half.

Meanwhile, second half resumed with high hope from both team with determination to outwit each other for victory. Quick substitutions in the second half by Basic FC coach did a magic, changing the flow of the game a little bit which gave them the effrontery to regain their composure both in the midfield and upfront and soon begin to soak the tempo of the game that saw them making headway in the game.

The changes paid off 75 minutes later when Basic No 10 Jersey, Michael Jibade dribble past the Smartcity defender on the edge of the box eighteen trying to put a fast one through the left side of the goalkeeper only for him to send the ball wide.

Smartcity FC was later chickened out in the 88 minute when a lowly shot from Basic No. 11 Jersey got past the Smartcity defence, piercing through the keeper’s tight eye hit to the back of the net thereby making the scoreline 1-1 which sent the Basic players and supporters into wide jubilation that lasted for some minutes.

The match ended in a penalty shootout (5-6) in favour of SmartCity football club of Elegushi as the last standing Basic FC player blew up their opportunity when he decided to send the ball wide off the post.

The 3rd match place between Atico FC and Starbase FC saw Atico FC carrying the day as the third place winners exhibited the stuff they were made of putting one past the Starbase FC Goalkeeper in the encounter which they protected and guided jealously till the end of both halves.

The heroes of the game, Smartcity FC went home with a trophy, N250,000.00, as Basic FC settled for N150,000.00 while the third place winners got N100,000.00 respectively for their efforts.

According to the host of the football event, Hon. Adedamola Richard Kasumu who spoke with Herosports Newspaper said “ARK Football Competition was put in place not only to earnest the budding talents in Lagos but to also empower the youths which will go a long way in reducing the rate of unemployment and social vices among the youths in the society.

It was a two-in-one event as the host uses the opportunity to fetes the guests who care to grace the occasion in celebration of his 55th birthday at the venue with sumptuous drinks and meals.

Hon. Adedamola Richard Kasumu however, promised to make the next edition a bumper pack with lots of exciting features.