Valiant Comeback Miracle in Ikenne

Match Officials

Ref: Jinad Seun

AR1: Ndiana Akpan

AR2: Ogunkoya Ramon

RR: Odelana Phillip

In perhaps one of the biggest miracles of 2021, Valiant came from three goals down to beat Emmydinho 5-4 in Ikenne on Tuesday.

Valiant were pummelled 4-1 by Beyond Limits in their last cup appearance, while Emmydinho were playing their final group game and needed to win in order to remain in contention for a semi-final spot.

However, Valiant went ahead in the second minute through Ifeoluwa Agboola’s spot kick, but that was everything they offered in the half as Emmydinho turned the screw. Four goals in 20 minutes from Okoro John, Ezike John and a brace from Oparaocha Chidera before the 40th minute mark, ensured the visitors were smiling as the half ended.

It then became a game of two halves when Ifeoluwa scored his second goal in the 52nd minute, before completing his hat-trick in the 66th minute as the Brave Boys kept believing in turning the game around.

Emmydinho did not know what hit them and were struggling with Valiant’s strategy in attack and they conceded another goal through Saoban Tanimola in the 72nd minute as parity was restored with less than 20 minutes to go.

Fawehinmi Olarenwaju’s boys were definitely in the ascendancy and kept pushing for a winner, which they eventually got four minutes from time through Olaniyan Gafar’s goal to send the bench in wild jubilations.

This result kept Valiant in the race for a semi-final spot, while Emmydinho were knocked out and out of contention as we approach the last day of matches in the group.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Ifeoluwa Agboola (Valiant FC)

The forward grabbed a hat-trick and initiated his side’s spirited comeback. It was a colossal performance from the skipper.

CAUTION

YELLOW CARDS

Valiant FC – Yusuf Zakkaria 34’ Umar Abdullahi 86’ Nwoke Favour 90’

Emmydinho FC – Michael Jonathan 36’, Uchenna Umeagu 64’