Raymond Ekenoba of Rolly FC stole the show with two goals and one assist in the semi-finals of the much-awaited maiden edition of the Julius Aghahowa Super Cup which kicked off Friday under the rain of goals in two matches and top football artistry displays from young and vibrant talents in Edo State.
The first match of the day between Eagle Wings and Rockers FC got underway with interesting moves as both sides played from the left to the right of the field matching every tackle and making attempts at every giving opportunity to register the first goal of the match.
It was Rockers FC who got the lead after 30 minutes through right back, Agho Nosa who ran from his side’s goal outpacing all Eagle Wings players before attempting a square play which resulted in a goal for his side to take the lead in the 31st minute.
Tenebe Emmanuel Junior 10 minutes later got the equalizer for Eagle Wings after a good exchange of passes from the final third – he made no mistake in putting the ball past Rocker’s goalkeeper to breathe into his team a new life.
Luck smiled on Eagle Wings as they got a penalty from a reckless play by Rockers in the 18-yard, Harry James in the nick of half-time converted from the penalty spot beating the goalkeeper to hand his team the lead to the half-time.
The second hostility resumed and the Rockers got the first chance in the second half, but poor finishing did the team some bad as they couldn’t seize the opportunity to level against a stronger side.
After so many attacks and displays of football artistry, Eagle Wings registered their superiority over their opponents when Harry James once again found himself in a good position to tuck in the third goal for his side, his second in the game.
Rockers made some tactical substitutions, but Eagle Wings kept them at bay with their substitutions and held on to win the game – revenge for what played out in their first meeting this year in the Benin City Youth League.
In the second match of the day, Rolly FC of Ugbowo showed why they are a bigger side than their opponents – BJ Football Club – and why their time in the NLO wasn’t just out of luck by thumping their opponents by 4 goals to nil in a one-sided game.
Raymond had a solo run from his half and danced his way through the opponent’s goal before unleashing a fire-like shot beyond the helpless goalkeeper of BJ FC to put his side ahead after 31 minutes of play.
Raymond turned the provider a few minutes later when he released Chinedu Ifeanyi with a beautiful cross, the new Rolly recruit made no mistake in turning the ball into the net for his side’s third goal of the game.
Man of the match winner, Raymond Ekenoba once again got on the scorer sheet – Ray stole the ball from a BJ’s midfielder and ran through the centre backs where he took on Osazuwa in one-on-one dribbling that left the defender sprawling on the ground watching Raymond put the ball into the net beyond his goalkeeper who had no answer to the hit man’s question.
Rolly’s defensive midfielder, Tiangi Benjamin picked up a pass from his back line, drove through the midfield blazing past four markers and unleashed a rocket shot to put the icing on the cake for his side – the fourth goal in the 42nd minute of the game.
The match ended after some other attempts by Rolly FC on the weak BJ side, but over-excitement made them fluff their chances to further compound the woes of their opponents.
The chief host, Julius Aghahowa expressed his feelings towards Raymond Ekenoba who starred in the game as he called the young lad for a selfie after the match to further inform the onlooking crowd that Raymond Ekenoba is a bunch of talents that will go far in his playing career.
Julius Aghahowa with Raymond Ekenoba
With that victory, Rolly FC will match up against Eagle Wings in the final at 3 pm on Sunday while Rockers and BJ FC will settle for the bronze medal match by 11 am.