There are many words one could use in describing Gbagada’s 2023/24 season, but this writer struggles to find one. The season started in the worst possible manner, and seemingly did the team in; 5 losses from the first 6 meant they were gasping for air at the end of the first quarter, and while they gained some respite by putting together a 6-game unbeaten run to go into the midseason break, they were far behind. The inconsistencies in their game raised their ugly head again at the turn of the break, and they would lose four of their next five matches after the mid-season break.
It meant Coach Akinyelu Olajide was always putting out fires and barely had time to actually clean the house. Most goals were self-inflicted, and too often did the interpretations of the players betray the belief of their coach. The players looked so eager to be done with the season, their performance on Matchday 22 summarized the season, imploding 5-1 at home to Imperial, with the opportunity to outdo their best TCC League win tally. They seemingly never settled, and question marks were never far away. However, the bright spots remain; Semiu Fagbayi was named best player of the TCC League off a 13-goal season, [31% of the team’s total tally] his most productive campaign yet. Ridwan Gbadamosi was assist king, while Segun Alfred did what he always does, retain composure, especially from the spot, only if his teammates could emulate him…
CUP
Coach Akinyelu Olajide was left dumbfounded after another Cup campaign ended in heartbreak, and he was short for words in his post-match review. The Blue Eagles are staples of the TCC Cup knockouts, but self-inflicted wounds have done them in recent years. Last year’s shootout loss to Valiant after imploding in the final was fresh in minds, and history would repeat itself.
Gbagada qualified unbeaten from the group, winning three and drawing two, attaining the top spot with a game to spare. It was not a debate. However, the warning signs raised heads after a tense shootout win over Atlantic Business in the quarter-final. They seemingly had the semi-finals under control against eventual champion, Beyond Limits, but the inaugural champions never hit their expected levels, and heartbreak followed, with a shootout defeat, a third consecutive defeat in such a manner.