What went wrong? The Lion’s Den built a reputation on wicked set-piece deliveries. In 2023-24, no team utilized set-plays better. In 24-25, they did not rank top 3 for that metric. A team built on a notoriously steadfast defence in times past was quaking in their boots in 24-25. Conceding and scoring 38 goals. It was stark.

Dino won 1 of their first seven league matches. They lost 2 in that span and drew with Real Sapphire, Broad City, Sporting Lagos, and Dannaz. The excuse was a tough schedule out of the gate. By the time they got a second win in Week 8, it was a 1-0 upset of Beyond Limits. They were back, or so we thought. Their next 4 games read won 2, drawn 2, before being brought back to earth by Atlantic Business in a 4-1 humbling. That run would be their longest stretch without a defeat in the 24-25 season. Not even the delight of doing the double over Beyond Limits would mask frailties that were laid bare by Gbagada, Sporting Lagos, and VOE. 50% of their wins came against 2 teams, Beyond Limits and Iganmu, and heavy defeats characterized a team that went pumpkin mode more often than not. They did end the season with draws against podium finishers Real Sapphire and Broad City, ensuring both did not record wins against them, but it also meant they threw the kitchen sink at the Cup campaign.

Understandably so. Dino had always been suited to elimination-style football, and after scraping through the group stages on 7 points behind Real Sapphire, Sporting Lagos, and Atlantic Business, they bore their fangs in the knockouts. VOE and Gbagada were decided 2-0 and 3-1 in the quarters and semis, setting up a 2022 Cup final rematch with Beyond Limits. They got smoked, with the Sky Blue Stars besting them 3-0 and taking reparations for those league losses. Better luck next time.