The 2025 Gold Cup kicked off with decisive action on Monday as Crown FC and Sporting Lagos secured hard-fought victories in their opening group stage matches at the FC Ebedei Stadium in Apele-Sagamu.
Both teams, representing the Nigerian National League (NNL), overcame stubborn resistance from lower-tier Nationwide League One (NLO) sides to start their campaigns with three points.
Odeyemi’s Super-Sub Brace Sinks Seamoriowo
In a Group A fixture, Crown FC defeated Seamoriowo FC 2-0, largely thanks to a stellar second-half performance from substitute Ebenezer Odeyemi.
Seamoriowo FC started brightly, matching their higher-division opponents and finishing the first half with a credible goalless draw. However, the momentum shifted dramatically with the introduction of the experienced Odeyemi after the break.
The veteran striker made an immediate impact, breaking the deadlock in the 62nd minute. He then sealed the victory with his second goal just 12 minutes later, in the 74th minute, completing a quickfire brace that demoralized the NLO side.
With his two-goal haul in just 20 minutes of play, Odeyemi, a recent arrival from Osun United, instantly shot to the top of the tournament’s scoring chart.
Sporting Lagos Capitalizes on Error to Secure Win
In the day’s other match, Sporting Lagos grinded out a 1-0 win over GreenLock FC in a Group B encounter.
The first half was a story of missed opportunities for the NLO side, GreenLock FC, who created several promising chances but failed to convert them into a lead.
The game’s defining moment came in the 69th minute. Sporting Lagos forward Lasisi Alabi pounced on a catastrophic error by GreenLock FC’s goalkeeper, Prince Ogo, who misplaced a pass directly to Alabi. With an empty net at his mercy, Alabi made no mistake, slotting home the winner.
The victory places Sporting Lagos provisionally at the summit of Group B, pending the result of the match between Sunshine Stars and FC Ebedei.
The early results set the stage for an exciting tournament, with the experience of NNL sides ultimately proving decisive on the opening day.
Leave a comment