2021 RSL League begins!
The 2021 RSL season kicked off to a start with League A teams of Mamba FC and MFC winning their first games over their local rivals, LWC FC and Invincible Eagles respectively. Invincible Eagles’ alternate team in League B also secured their first win of the season by mounting a remarkable comeback from a goal deficit to beat MFC in the League B fixture. LWC FC also had a good showing as this will be their first foray into the 2-team structure. Although their game ended as a 1-1 draw, the resolute defending and team spirit was evident throughout the game.
A quick background on the structure of the 2021 League:
- Two Leagues (A & B) will run concurrently for the season.
- Each of the 5 core teams are fielding two separate and distinct competing teams A and B.
- League A will feature only Team’s in the A category, and League B will feature Team’s B.
- Team members, once rostered at the start of the season, are not allowed to play for the alternate team.
- The primary objective is to increase the level of participation and competitiveness among the all teams, considering the growing interest of individuals who want to play.
Although the League B game between Mamba FC and LWC FC ended as a 1-1 draw, it was a tale of wave after wave of attack by the marauding wingers of Mamba FC, as well as resolute defending by LWC – with Emeka Chukwu (LWC) with a man of the match performance. Several chances were spurned by Mamba FC’s forward line and there were also brilliant saves by the stand-in goalie, Chukwuemeka Osondu, who was called upon to substitute for the injured primary goal keeper.
For the second game of the day, the League A game between Mamba and MFC was highly competitive. A defensive trip-up in the 15th minute resulted in a penalty in favor of Mamba FC – which Tobi Falomo coolly dispatched. LWC fought hard with key players like Shola Babafemi, Franklin Tochukwu, Gerard Okeke and Kelvin Osazuwa involved in key battles throughout the game. However, there was no backing off from the energetic Mamba FC Team, with the likes of Sunday Julius, Sodiq Obanoyen, Tobi Falomo and Ridwan Taiwo in the center of the park. Several balls were pinged into dangerous areas until Dickson Akinsira eventually took on the responsibility of going one-on-one with two defenders and fired a shot to the near-post to seal the win.
The game between the League B teams of Invincible Eagles and MFC was also a keenly contested game. MFC started on a high note with a goal by Martins Adeniran and stayed competitive through the first half besides the own goal. However, the Invincible Eagles came roaring back in the 2nd half with a flurry of goals by Emmanuel Bot and Ogedi Agoruah to secure their place in top spot.
The League A game was also one of toe-to-toe battles, tactical plays by the two coaches, Mr Kazeem Lawal (MFC) and Mr Debo Oseolorun (Invincible Eagles) and unwaivering player determination to fight till the end. The winning goal came from a quick throw-in, which enabled a good run-in by MFC’s forward line, some defensive scrambles and the ball rolling gently in place for a side-footed shot into the far post by Babatunde Bankole.
As Game Day 2 approaches on 6th March, all the teams are now on notice as the holidays are definitely over. It’s Game Time!!!