GAMEWEEK 1 (Match Preview)

DINO VS VALIANT

Cup duties begin with a tie that produced a draw in this exact fixture last season. Dino claimed the league tiebreaker against Valiant, and would hope to start their Cup campaign in the new format by keeping their stranglehold.

Both Semi-finalists from the first Cup edition, expectations are massive in the fanbases to go for the jugular. 

Goals are a guarantee in this fixture, with both teams netting five goals respectively in three outings in last season’s TCC Cup

STAT ATTACK

0- Dino SC kept no clean sheet in the  #TCC Cup last season. Open

1- Valiant kept only one clean sheet in the TCC Cup last season. Loose

MAN TO WATCH

Seun Salahu (Dino SC)

He opened the scoring in last season’s 1-1 draw in the League, but put in a solid performance all round. Watch out for his range in this fixture.

GBAGADA VS ATLANTIC BUSINESS

Champions Gbagada open their campaign at home against newbies Atlantic Business. The Blue Eagles are a different kettle of fish in the Cup and seemingly cracked the code of knockout football last season. 

The champions are notoriously tight at the back, and in Adekunle Biliameen and Owopetu Joshua, they possess a solid foundation.

Newcomers, Atlantic Business have an unenviable task, but they would appear unfazed at the size of the task before them.   

STAT ATTACK

1- Gbagada FC conceded just one goal enroute Cup glory last season. Stingy 

MAN TO WATCH

Semiu Fagbayi (Gbagada)

The skipper was the catalyst to last season’s Cup win, and he would again be central to any chances of a title defence. 

Iganmu FC vs. Broad City FC

Newcomers, BroadCity, will take on Iganmu FC in their first-ever game in the The Creative Championship Cup. Paired in the same group as the reigning champions, BCFC will be looking to pick up maximum points in this game to start off their journey on the right foot.

After a dismal showing in the tournament last season, their opponents, Iganmu Lions, will be hoping to go one further this time around. The three goals they scored in the lone cup game (against Valiant FC) played at home last season means one thing: They are at least familiar with the terrain a bit. And that’s plenty to worry about for the newcomers.

Nevertheless, BroadCity can count on the fact that Iganmu FC failed to keep a clean sheet in the two cup ties they played last season.

STAT ATTACK

5 – The number of goals conceded by Iganmu FC before being dumped out of the maiden TCC Cup competition.

MAN TO WATCH

David Adeola (Iganmu FC)

The lad was responsible for two of the three cup goals scored by Iganmu last season. He will be raring to go again in this match-up.

Emmydinho FC vs. Dannaz FC

Emmydinho will lock horns with new entrants of the Cup, Dannaz of Lagos. It would have been an-all-Lagos affair if it was last campaign, but the home side have relocated to Ikenne, Ogun State, with the hope that results will be better this term.

Paired in the same group with the established trio of Valiant FC, Beyond Limits and Dino SC, it will be a battle for the first maximum points as the journey to cup glory begins.

Emmanuel Ayeni’s boys had a dismal TCC Cup campaign last term. They conceded six goals in two games against eventual finalists Remo Stars (now Beyond Limits) in the first round as their cup run came to an end. For the Cedars, it is a maiden appearance for them and they will be hoping for a good start. 

With a significant change in personnel and coaching staff, Emmydinho might be one of the teams to watch in the Cup this season.

STAT ATTACK

6 – The number of goals conceded by Emmydinho FC – the highest in the maiden TCC Cup competition.

MAN TO WATCH

Okoro John (Emmydinho FC)

If the homers are to begin the cup with on a good note, their inspirational captain will be very key.