The much postponed grand finale of this year’s edition of Lagos State Challenge Cup finally took place Saturday after noon at Agege Stadium, with crowd favourites, First Bank FC of Satellite Town carting home the prestigious trophy.

However, it was not smooth sailing all the way for The Elephant Boys, as their less fancied opponents, FAME Academy took the match all the way to the wire, as a penalties’ shoot-out was eventually required to separate both sides after a 1-1 finish at regulation time.

It would be recalled that FAME Academy, whose efforts have been boosted by support from fast-rising FIFA licensed agent, Yomi Etsekhure, had earlier caused a stir in the national stage of the competition, when they sent packing top-flight campaigners, Shooting Stars of Ibadan 2-1 in Shagamu, Ogun State to book a place in the round of 32.

Although they eventually lost out to Gombe United in Lokoja high coach of the non-league side, Yinka Adeniyi said the defeat of one of the big teams in the Nigeria Premier League has given him hope that the team can still go far in the round leather game.

Sam O'Femi Fasetire