Star Builders will square up against Beyond Limits in the final of the Evolution Cup Season 2 on Sunday after both teams won their semi-final matches against Magic Stars and Rolly FC respectively on Friday at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State.
The Evolution Cup which made its debut in Nigeria’s football scene, as the first and fast growing pre-season and scouting tournament to prepare the Nationwide League One (NLO) teams for the new season.
How it happened
Debutants Star Builders booked their place in the final with a slim one-goal win in a keenly contested encounter, thus making Magic Stars rue their poor finishing at goal.
In the second semifinal, Beyond Limits put a 10-man Rolly FC to the sword, scoring two second-half goals.
Interestingly both teams finished as runners-up in the group. However Beyond Limits will be having their hands full against Coach Jamiu Isa of Star Builders, whose former team SGFC Athletics defeated the Ikenne-based team via penalties in the final of Season 1.
The Remo Stars Stadium will host the grand finale on Sunday at 10 am local time.
What they said
Coach Ernest Isaac, Beyond Limit
“It was a big challenge. This is not the first time we will be in the final. This is the second time and in our second time in this competition. It was challenging getting to the final and I am proud of my players.
“I think we were very poor in the first half and not in total control. In the second half, we tried to bring out some tactical information. It was not a bad tactic too. I am proud of my guys that at the end of it, they got the result that we wanted.
“Everybody has to turn out due to the standard of the academy. Whenever you are coming to the game you have to show your capacity and what you have been taught on the pitch. Everybody did well and tried.
“I don’t expect too much from the guys. I believe they are going to do well and carry the cup.
“I think my guys need to prepare themselves mentally and give their possible best on Sunday. I think these guys have not been playing together like a team and we have to select them. They have not been together as a unit. I was very impressed today. They are now in the final and have to do more and I believe they will do that.”
Beyond Limit captain, Abdullahi Biliyaminu
“I am pleased with the performance because it wasn’t an easy game starting from the first half with a lot of challenges trying to be compact but in the second half, we were able to sort out our challenges.
“It wasn’t an easy task because first of all, I have to motivate myself before I can motivate others. I had to do a lot of things like run and call everybody into order. I just have to do what I have to do.
“We had to stay compact and calm because it wasn’t easy. They were trying to like break us and not let us stay compact but I was just telling my teammates to just remain calm and stay focused.
“For me and my teammates, I think we need to step up. It’s not like we don’t know what to do but we just need to step up more and take more responsibilities going into the final.
“Like our coach usually says, we take every game at a time. Every game is an opportunity for us to compete. We are going to go into the final with the motive of playing and competing, trying to win every battle in the game and hopefully get a win.”
Coach Andrew Ikanga, Rolly FC
“I think we gave a good fight. The red card actually let us down. All round, we played a very good team. Tactically they were sound and brilliant. Offensively they are good. We tried to neutralize all the aspects and had a couple of chances which we could have converted in the first half but we couldn’t do that. Sometimes the games are always like that.
“I wouldn’t put much blame on the players. I think on my part I wanted to change the formation which caused us. We will work on that aspect when we get back to the training ground.
“I think I need everybody to work with me so we can move forward. We aspire to a good things and to do better in each tournament we attend by giving our best. It was a very good fight and I think we will always continue to do that in every competition we are engaged in. We are growing bit by bit and game by game we will get there.
“Basically, Rolly FC was just growing as at the last edition. I think we have come of age and are aspiring to be great. There is a lot of work to be done. We will improve in every aspect. I think in the next edition we will be better.”
Rolly FC’s John Emmanuel
“It was a good game for all of us. We performed well and lost some of our chances in the beginning of the first half and couldn’t convert our chances. After the red card, we lost focus and paid for it.
“All the players are all good, the midfielders, and attackers did their best. The opponent as well have fantastic players and did well.
“Converting our chances in the first half. We couldn’t convert them and was what we paid for.
“In the first edition, we didn’t get to this stage. In this second edition, we are in the semi-final. I believe in the next edition we will do better.
“The team keeps growing. We will go back home to work harder and get better.”
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