ILAJI FC SET FOR FEDERATION CUP DEBUT AT OGBEMUDIA STADIUM

By Oluseyi Adedire

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Ilaji Football Club from Oyo State will this afternoon make her first appearance at the National Federation Cup at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, Edo State.

The Ibadan based football club under Head Coach/General Manager Babatunde Odubola, fondly called Zico, emerged Champions at the state level after defeating NPFL side Shooting Stars on penalties after three-all draw.

They also finished second at the 2023 edition after losing to Shooting Stars by alone goal but could not honour thier round of 64 fixture against Kano Pillars due to the incessant security challenges facing the country as of that time.

Shortly after Shooting Stars cruised to the round of 32 after 3-2 penalty win over Solution FC at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Ilaji FC players and officials took over the field to have a light training session ahead of today's round 64 match against Nigeria Premier Football League side, Abia Warriors.

However, the Oyo State Federation Cup Champions arrived in Benin City 2pm yesterday with their medical staff, kit officer, technical crew, and 18 players led by Captain Adebisi Olamikun Timileyin.

Goalkeeper Adisa Oliver, Moses Boniface, Sharadeen Alli, Mikhail Adetoro, Rufai Azeez, Malik Isiak, Juwon Adeoye, Toheeb Oloyede, Bello Ibrahim were amongst the squad to face Abia Warriors.

Hat-trick hero, Babalola Okikiola, Adeegbe Oluwafemi, Adekola Olamilekan, Tomisin Adebayo, Bolarinwa Rokeeb, Sulaimon Rasheed and Oladipupo Ogo, and Atanda Bunmi completed the list.

OyoSportsNews in an interview with Coach Babatunde Odubola 'Zico' expressed the team readiness and preparations for Abia Warriors' match.

"Firstly, playing in the National Federation Cup is one of the biggest aims for all of us at Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort. We didn't participate at the state level to make number, our aim was to go further to the national level and to God be the glory, we were not stopping from here."

"Federation Cup is the oldest and one biggest competitions in Nigeria. So, I’m very happy that Ilaji FC is making her first participation this year. I can also say that it is the dream of every player to play in major competitions, just like the World Cup and the Champions League. So, I'm happy for the players, coaches and everyone that has contributed to this feat. I must not forget our Chairman, Engineer Dotun Sanusi and Chief Operating Officer, Prince Adesina Araoye for thier support at all time. This team is in thier hearts, and it clearly shows through thier supports."

"As I always said, we have structures at Ilaji FC, we are in Benin city for business, the boys are in good shape and ready for their first experience at the federation cup. It won't come easy because Abia Warriors are a league side with top quality players and coaches. We'll surely give our best." He assured.