Unbeaten defending champions Ijapo Ages Stars FC of Akure South will put their remarkable record on the line when they face Ebile FC in the final of the fourth Adu Unity Football Competition on Saturday, 7 November, at the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure.
The highly anticipated encounter will be a repeat of the sides’ preliminary-stage meeting, which saw Ijapo Ages Stars emerge victorious with a 2-1 win despite being reduced to nine players.
Both teams secured their places in the final following hard-fought 1-0 victories in their respective semi-final fixtures.
Ebile FC were first to book their ticket after edging Akure United in the opening semi-final, thanks to Tobi Soladoye’s decisive 61st-minute strike.
The encounter had produced a goalless first half, with both sides displaying impressive football and creating an engaging contest. However, Soladoye’s second-half effort proved the difference, sending Ebile FC into the competition’s final.
Defending champions Ijapo Ages Stars FC followed suit with a narrow victory over Dirhamz FC of Ose in the second semi-final.
The three-time champions struggled to break down their opponents in a closely contested first half but eventually found the breakthrough in the 75th minute when Monday Omohera rose highest to head home the winning goal.
The victory secured Ijapo Ages Stars’ place in their fourth consecutive final, further underlining their dominance in the competition.
Remarkably, the Akure South-based side have maintained an unbeaten record since the inception of the Dr Olumuyiwa Adu-sponsored tournament three years ago.
Saturday’s final will therefore present another opportunity for Ijapo Ages Stars to extend their impressive run, while Ebile FC will be hoping to avenge their preliminary-stage defeat and deny the champions another triumph.
Football enthusiasts are expected to turn out in large numbers for the showdown, with attention firmly fixed on whether Ijapo Ages Stars can preserve their unbeaten status or Ebile FC can bring their remarkable run to an end.
The final is scheduled to kick off at 3pm, while Dirhamz FC (Ose) will trade tackles against Akure United (Akure South) at 1pm.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Raymond Abdulsalam, has congratulated both finalists on their impressive performances and qualification for the title decider.
Abdulsalam also commended all participating teams for what he described as their maturity and understanding of the game.
He urged supporters of both finalists to maintain discipline and conduct themselves responsibly throughout the final-day activities, while calling on the teams to uphold the spirit of sportsmanship.
“As organisers, we reiterate our commitment to fair officiating, ensuring that no team is short-changed,” he said.
He further encouraged football enthusiasts across Ondo State to attend the final, describing the competition as one of the leading grassroots football events in the state.
“We urge all football lovers to troop out en masse to witness one of the best grassroots football competitions in Ondo State,” Abdulsalam added.