Yes!!!! We are off again!!!! The 2019 Bet9jaSociaLiga season has kicked off and what a start to the season it was! Matchday 1 was thrilling, mind-blowing and full of goals! It had everything! Incredible goals, world class saves, amazing tackles, crazy comebacks, high-scoring games and so much more. What a start!
The Male Bet9jaSociaLiga season kicked off with the game between The Cubs FC and Raineri Ghosts FC. The game started on fire. The first goal of the new season did not take long to arrive. Within two minutes, striker Dimeji Ojora broke free after a sublime pass by Nnamdi “Puma” and gave Cubs an early lead with a tidy finish. Raineri FC looked shell-shocked but they soon recovered their composure, as they began to make efforts to create chances. Unfortunately, the Cubs team were fit and ready and they kept taking advantage of Raineri’s high line. After a bunch of missed chances by Cubs, striker Clamzee finished off a well worked chance to give them a 2-0 lead just before halftime. The second half was a completely different challenge as Raineri completely turned things around. Cubs were pegged back in their half for much of the second half, with Raineri eventually getting the three goals they needed to complete a comeback and walk away with the win. 3-2. What a start!
The goals did not stop coming after the first game. In the second game of the day, defending champions Dannaz FC played out a thrilling 3-3 draw against returning Royals FC. Dannaz blew a 2-0 lead and a 3-2 lead to the fury of star striker Obakimi Joshua who scored two of their goals. Royals showed great character to keep coming back. Flamboyant midfielder Chizzy put in a man of the match performance to bring them back into the game, laying on two assists for his teammates before slotting the equalising goal from the penalty spot at the death.
The 2019 Female Bet9jaSociaLiga Season kicked off with a battle between defending champions Knights Ladies and debutants Alimosho Ladies FC. The game did not have the same goal rush that the male season had. It was a tough contest between two evenly-matched side who struggled to create against each other. It took a moment of genius from Deborah for the two sides to be separated. The defending champions have their work cut out for them as the opening day defeat already puts them under pressure as they look to defend their 2018 title.
In the other game, Dannaz Ladies beat Saints Ladies 2-0 in a thrilling game. The Dannaz ladies began the game in full attack mode and took the lead after 2 minutes. It was the third game of the day that already saw a goal after two minutes, the only exception being the Knights Ladies versus Alimosho Ladies game. Both sides missed multiple opportunities to score and the first half ended 1-0. The heat was turned all the way up in the second half as both sides increased the tempo. Dannaz Ladies, on their part, were soon rewarded as they grabbed a second goal through an absolute stunner from star player Amarachi. The goal had everyone in the arena on their feet in seconds, many impressed by what they had just seen. 2-0, it ended.
The fifth game of the day was another entertaining game. Two-time champions, Saints FC, faced debutants Alimosho FC. The first goal of the game did not come until the 21st minute when Yinka Adiro struck from the penalty spot. On the stroke of halftime, Abdullahi of Alimosho FC equalised off a deflected free kick. Halftime 1-1 and both managers showed their annoyance at the performances of their players. The players came back for the second half energised and it soon paid off as Robert hit a close range finish after an initial miskick to give Saints the lead. The goal had come after a brilliant run by Eneji, who took out three players before laying on a pass which was squared to Robert. Alimosho looked shell-shocked but it soon got worse. Yinka Adiro got his second goal of the game not long after with a magnificent curler from the edge of the box to send the fans into raptures. Despite Alimosho’s best efforts, the game ended 3-1 as Saints earned their first 3 points of the season.
The final game of the day was contested between Guns FC and All Black FC. It was another game full of goals as The Guns ran out 4-3 winners in an exhilarating encounter. The game saw a man of the match performance from Skarra, who finished with two goals and inspired The CUbs to come back from 2-0 to lead 4-2. All Black FC grabbed a late consolation goal but they ran out of time. 4-3, it ended.
