Every year, records tumble, and at Beyond Limits FA, their name does hold true. It is always believed that getting to the top is the easy part, but staying there is more difficult. After two years, the stranglehold feels akin to a certain fellow Sky Blue team in Manchester. 

BLFA play attractive football, the one Brazilians call the djinga. They play highly structured football, one the Spaniards call tiki-taka, and some would refer to it as the Juego de posicion. Only them can convert a goalie to an attacker, and see him score double digits in goals. 

Cup Run 

The curse of the genius may seem a far fetch, but for yet another campaign, BLFA fell short of the double. Make no mistake, this is a well-drilled team, however, their inability to get over the line in a final is somewhat becoming a bit of a hex. It is cause for worry, even if it should not be. 

Coach Ajibolade Olumide’s boys recorded two 4-1 wins in the group stage, and a draw, and then the only loss came to Dino SC in the group stages, who would prove their final foes. Perhaps the struggles in the semifinal against Imperial in a derby sent the signals, but it was all in full glare in the final, then again, despite dominating possession, they could not turn chances into goals. 

For once, the sky was not blue, and instead, the team did feel blue. And the 2021/22 season became a case of what may have been, had the sky been blue and the trophies were two.

League Campaign  

A record win campaign, a record unbeaten streak, a record points tally and a record goals tally all were recorded by Ajibola Olumide’s men, and it all began with a 4-1 whitewash of Valiant FC on Matchday one. 

The back-to-back 4-1 wins set the tone for what was to come, but it would be after a blip against Gbagada FC, their Cup final nemesis from the previous season, where they created so much, and yet failed to find the cutting edge. The 1-0 loss would be the only one for a long time, as BLFA recorded fifteen unbeaten games after that defeat. 

The only loss of a remarkable campaign, Coach Olumide, might have wondered how close his side were to immortality. The free-flowing football they oozed resonated from Okechukwu Olisa in goal to Moshood Moruf and Onyebuchi Obasi in the attack. Coach Olumide’s orchestra distinguished themselves, everyone playing their part. 

Standout Performer – Ahmed Akinyele

The midfielder played a pivotal role in ensuring that his side managed a third-place finish. With a Kindex rating of 81.45 (highest in his team) and 5 goals scored, he was easily one of the standout players of the season. The mercurial midfielder scored an excellent free-kick against Emmydinho to win the goal of the week for match week 7 and also contributed three assists during the season.

Having proved himself throughout the campaign, he was nominated into the TCC Team of the Season.