Following a thrilling, goal-filled opening round, the Prof. Akin Oyebode Cup resumes tomorrow, Tuesday, January 21, with competitive teams squaring off in Round 2. Teams have had time to regroup and adjust, setting the stage for even fiercer encounters and plenty of action.
Here are some of the key fixtures and players to watch:
Ikole Youth Team vs Ekiti East Youth Team
This promises to be an exciting showdown. Ikole boast a potent attacking threat led by their talisman, Adewumi Isaiah, who netted a hat-trick (3 goals) in their Round 1 win over Moba. Standing in their way is a resilient Ekiti East side, who battled to a 2-2 draw in their opener to claim a valuable point. Ekiti East will rely heavily on standout centre-back Ojo Ayomide named in the Team of the Week for Round 1 to anchor their defence and frustrate Ikole’s forwards.
Gbonyin/Aiyekire vs Irepodun/Ifelodun
One of the biggest games of the round pits familiar rivals Gbonyin/Aiyekire against Irepodun/Ifelodun, with the winner likely to claim top spot in their group. Both teams stormed to emphatic victories in Round 1: Gbonyin/Aiyekire crushed their opponents 5-0, while Irepodun/Ifelodun delivered a stunning 7-0 win.
The spotlight will be on the current joint leaders of the goal-scoring charts — Ajisola Olasunkanmi (4 goals for Aiyekire) and Adetayo Funsho (4 goals for Irepodun/Ifelodun). This head-to-head clash could decide not only group supremacy but also who emerges as the early frontrunner for the Golden Boot.
Defending Champions vs Ikere Ekiti (Group C)
In Group C, it’s a heavyweight clash as the defending champions take on Ikere Ekiti. Both sides picked up three points in Round 1, making this fixture crucial, with the winner in prime position to leapfrog the other and seize early control of the group.
Expect intensity, skill, and plenty of goals as the Prof. Akin Oyebode Cup continues to showcase Ekiti’s rising football talents, all matches will be played at the refurbished Ikole Township Stadium.
