Finishing second in the league and winning the league cup in 2022 made it the best season Coach Godwin Gibson’s men had in The Creative Championship.

Going into the 2022/2023 season, the main aim was to wrestle the league title out of the grip of Beyond Limits. Theirs was a mixed start to the season as they opened their league affairs with a 2-1 win over Imperial before losing by the odd goal to Dannaz in their first away game of the season. Their rollercoaster start to the season continued with a loss to Iganmu Tiger before Isaac Ashiekaa and Hyacinth Ogonna scored one apiece to return Dino back to winning ways.

But Coach Gibson’s first clean sheet of the season was not enough to motivate his boys. Matchweek 5 saw them fall to the hands of Sporting Lagos in a five-goal thriller before conceding three goals again in their game of the season against Beyond Limits.

With two losses in a row and six goals conceded, the Landlords of the Lion’s Den dropped to ninth on the table. Determined to enter December with a boost, Dino triumphed over Gbagada – in the league – and Iganmu Tiger in the cup to finish their November on a high.

December was a rollercoaster ride for Dino, as it featured wins – over Imperial in the TCC Cup and Atlantic Business in the league – and losses to Atlantic Business in the TCC Cup. They went on to finish their year with a  4-2 win over Valiant and a 1-0 loss to Dannaz in the cup. By this time, they were already on the cusp of entering the knockout stages of the cup and were sat sixth on the league table.

Coach Gibson’s boys started the year with a draw which was followed by a 3-0 loss to Beyond Limits. They would go on to finish January without a win as they could only manage a 1-1 draw in the TCC Cup fixture against Atlantic Business.

Their long wait for their first win of the year dragged long into the second week of February when news broke about the demise of one of the club’s technical directors, Mohammed Bello. Burdened with the search for a first win and missing one of its integral members, Dino Sporting Club sent a rallying cry on Matchweek 16 as they trumped Iganmu Tiger by a 2-0 margin.

Valentine’s Day business required Coach Gibson’s men to cage the Blue Eagles. It was however a red day, not of love, but of blood, as they got knocked out of the cup competition. Unable to defend their title, climbing their way out of the sixth spot became the ultimate mission.

Adekunle Timilehin was on target in their next game as they managed another clean sheet against Dannaz. Imperial would not allow Coach Godwin Gibson’s men to finish the league on a high as they handed them a 3-1 defeat on the final day of the season.

Dino Sporting Club finished the season with 25 goals conceded, the same as the number of goals they conceded last season. Finishing in sixth place and being unable to defend the cup title signaled a new low for Coach Gibson.

Can they become the first side, apart from Beyond Limits, to win The Creative Championship next season?