Eight Teams Seal Quarter-Final Berths in Crown 74 Competition

By Kanu Samuel

Eight teams have booked their places in the quarter-finals of the second edition of the Crown 74 Football Competition.

Sixteen teams, drawn into four groups, battled in the preliminary round, with eight eliminated and the remaining eight advancing to contest for the tournament’s top honours.

Defending champions Saint FC were held to a 2–2 draw by Victory Lions in their final Group A fixture, finishing second with four points. The stalemate ensured Victory Lions topped the group.

In Group B, SGIC edged Royal Goldwin SA 1–0, but the victory was not enough to dislodge Coach Blessing Perez’s side from first place, as Royal Goldwin SA progressed as group leaders on goal difference.

Ebile FC maintained a perfect record in Group C, defeating El-Shaddai FC 1–0 in their final match to finish with nine points from three games. Wonder Lions followed in second place with four points.

The highly anticipated Ijapo derby between Benfab FC and Ijapo Ages Stars FC ended 1–1 at the Ondo State Sports Complex in Akure. Benfab FC sent their supporters into jubilation after forcing a late goalmouth scramble into the net, but Coach Banjo Adepoju’s hopes of ending Ijapo Ages Stars’ dominance were dashed when Femi Kolawole fired home a classy last-minute equaliser.

The result extended Ijapo Ages Stars’ unbeaten run in the derby. Both sides have now met five times, with Ijapo Ages Stars winning two and drawing three.

Despite the draw, Benfab FC finished above their local rivals on goal difference, as both teams wrapped up the group stage with seven points apiece.

Chief organiser Coach Gabriel Olatunji congratulated the quarter-finalists for their dedication and sportsmanship.

“I appreciate all participating teams for their maturity on and off the pitch. Truly, we are all winners. We will continue to improve this competition edition by edition.
The success of this second edition is a product of the experience gained from the maiden edition.
We remain committed to contributing our quota to the development of grassroots football in Ondo State,” he said.