ABEOKUTA – The skillful players of Tunji Akinosi Dream Team bowed to physicality pressure of Expected FC of Ijebu-Ode at the finals of Kensington Adebukola Adebutu Foundation (KAAF) U-18 football tourney.
The Akinosi boys from Ado-Odo/Ota local government area of Ogun state, gave their opponent good run of their money in the first half of the encounter played at the Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode on Wednesday.
Tunji Akinosi Dream Team, however, paid for many missed chances in the 42nd minutes of the first half when the highest goal scorer of the tournament, Musa Malik slotted a volley from the corner flag to the end of the net.
The home team capitalized on the defensive blunder of the Akinosi boys in the 68 mins to score their second goal from the spot kick.
The 2022 edition of the KAAF U-18 male final ended 3-nil in favour of Expected FC, Ijebu who went home with the N1million grand prize, while the silver medalists Tunji Akinosi Dream Team won N750,000 for coming second.
Speaking shortly after the final, the Head Coach of the Tunji Akinosi Dream Team, Mr. Akinlawon Akinola commended the brilliant display of his boys.
Coach Akinola blamed the loss on the harsh weather condition on the astroturf pitch couple with the youthful nature of his players.
He, therefore, promised to consolidate on this year’s achievements and prepare early for the 2023 edition.
Meanwhile, Mubaraq Alade of Tunji Akinosi Dream Team won the competition’s Best Player of The Year with cash prize.
