Defending champions, Smart City displayed a gritty performance to stage a comeback and record 2-2 against Mavlon FC in the opening match of Day Three in the 2024 edition of the Jagaban Cup at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena. Mavlon raced to an early lead with a brilliant finish from Emmanuel Stephen before halftime.
A thunderbolt strike from Egbeduokun Samson sailed past former Flying Eagles goalie Oremade Olawale to double the lead for Mavlon.
The defending champions halved the deficit two minutes afterwards with Ibrahim Fuad getting to the end of a team build-up initiated by Busayo Lemon.
Ibrahim Fuad completed the comeback with his second of the game with nine minutes left on the clock.
Both sides could have scored the winner in the closing minutes but they were undone by criminal misses.
The result saw Smart City end Group A as winners with five points from three games while Mavlon recorded two points.
In the second match of the day, 36 Lion and Dino Sporting Club cancelled each other out with a drab goalless draw.
The encounter produced fewer sparkling moments that could give either side the chance to secure victory but couldn’t make it count.
The encounter between The Charleston and Ikorodu City ended 2-2 with the former finishing the match with 10 men.
The Charleston took the lead in the 11th minute through Adebayo Joshua benefitting from poor communication between the defenders and goalkeeper of Ikorodu City.
The Oga Boys even scored seven minutes later as Sesan Emmanuel scored for his team with a great finish.
Egeonu Collins restored the lead for The Charlesann through a sumptuous finish six minutes before halftime.
The Charlesann were reduced to 10 men after Ayinla Olayinka got his marching order for a second bookable offence.
It didn’t take Ikorodu much time to find the equalizer with Onyeme Emmanuel getting his second of the match.
The enterprising striker went close to sealing the victory for the Oga Boys with two minutes to end the match but was denied by the smart goalkeeping of Chigozie Joseph.
The result saw Charlesann finishing the group with five points but they were edged to first place by Smart City on goal difference.
The last encounter for the day and also for the group ended 2-1 in favour of Broad City against Imperial FC.
The first half of the match ended goalless with both teams failing to pounce on good scoring chances.
However, a minute into the restart, Broad City took the lead through Bakare Ayomide as he capitalized on a defensive gaffe in the Imperial FC goal area.
The Seyi Olofinjana Boys equalized four minutes later as Abisuga Samuel calmly placed his effort past the goalkeeper.
With 10 minutes to end the pulsating encounter, Broad City regained the lead as Ayomide got his brace. It ended 2-1.
Group B was topped by 36 Lion who picked seven points while Dino placed second with three points.
Day 3 Results
Smart City 2-2 Mavlon FC
36 Lion 0-0 Dino SC
Charlesann 2-2 Ikorodu City
Broad City 2-1 Imperial FC
Day 4: March 29th
Third Place
The Charlesann Vs Dino SC — 7am
Final
Smart City Vs 36 Lion 8am