Seventh Wonder of the World, Real Sapphire, put Escola to the Sword

Real Sapphire completed the season double over Escola in style, putting seven past them.

The visitors dominated early proceedings, creating chance after chance. But they were met by a well-prepared Adebayo Adeyemi in goal. There was however little the goalkeeper could do about Real Sapphire’s first goal in the 32nd minute.

Musa Akinfenwa, who had been a threat down the right flank, muscled his way into the 18-yard area and won a penalty. Ibrahim Yusuf converted from the spot to put his side deservingly ahead.

Moyosore Onikoyi’s left-footed belter just after the restart would have been the perfect response. His shot however hit the woodwork after traveling through the multitude of players. 

Six minutes after conceding a penalty, Escola won one of theirs as Raheed Jimoh was brought down in the box. The striker dusted himself off and coolly sent the keeper in the wrong direction to restore parity.

Both sides finished the first half on level terms. But the second half saw an unsatisfied Real Sapphire regain the lead just after a minute of play. Abdulmajid Bawa rose highest to nod the ball home after the hosts failed to clear their lines.

Ibrahim got his double on the hour mark after finding space to strike on the edge of the box. The midfielder completed his hat-trick three minutes later, exposing the gaping hole in Escola’s defense.

With 10 minutes to go and Real Sapphire laying siege to Escola’s goal, it was Abdulmajid’s turn to get a brace after forcing the Escola defense into making an error. An unmarked Olawale Ayodele tapped into an empty net six minutes from time to make it six before adding a seventh to round up the scoring.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Ibrahim Yusuf (Real Sapphire)

The midfielder was unstoppable in or around the 18-yard area. Whether with his left foot or his right, he had no trouble scoring.