A 7-6 win via kicks from the penalty Mark earned Ifelodun LG the champions crown of the 2024 Otunba Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke Memorial Cup on Monday evening.
In a keenly contested final match at the Osogbo City Stadium witnessed by top functionaries in the state, both sides cancelled each other out with a goal apiece to set the decider down penalty shootouts. Fakunle Yomi had earlier given Ifelodun the lead, but Oke Adebiyi of Ilesa West responded with a fine goal to level things — giving the spectators the best of football artistry on display.
Earlier in the third-place encounter, Taiwo Afolabi stole the show with a brace as Olorunda LG defeated Ede South LG, by three unreplied goals. Early pressure from Olorunda forced Ede South Defender, Suraju Sodiq to score an own goal in the 5th minute of the game.
It was all joy for the sole sponsor, Hon. Bamidele Salam for hosting yet another successful competition in remembrance of the first executive governor of Osun State.
The House of Reps Member representing the good people of Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore and Ejigbo Federal Constituency, stated that the late former Governor of Osun State, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke lived an exemplary life and thus deserves to be celebrated.
The Lawyer cum Politician in his speech thanked everyone that made the competition a success, including all the dignitaries and every member of his Constituency that were present.
Also speaking during the event, Senator Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke thanked the Organiser of the annual Football Competition, Hon. Bamidele Salam, for deeming it fit to honour the memory of his late brother, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke. The Governor fondly called ‘Imole’ also promised to adopt proactive measures, to ensure the Osogbo City Stadium receive a well-deserved facelift soon.
The Competition which is dedicated in honour of the first Civilian Governor of Osun State, Otunba Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke is solely sponsored by Rep Bamidele Salam, who represents the good people of Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore and Ejigbo Federal Constituency in the National Assembly.
The final event had in attendance, great dignitaries from across the State, led by the Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, who performed the official kick-off ceremony, others the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, RT. Hon Adewale Egbedun, Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Teslim Igbalaye, Osun PDP Chairman, Chief Sunday Bisi and many other top Government functionaries in the State.