The 2018 Bet9jaSociaLiga playoffs lived up to its hype as Bravos Knights and SCN Ladies booked their places in the grand finale following a brilliant day of football at the Vocational Center in Isheri, Magodo, on Saturday. Bravos defeated Raineri 4-1 in the Mainland Coneference while SCN reaffirmed their superiority over defending champions, Saints Ladies, in the Women’s Liga with a penalty shootout win.
The Proud Citizen shocked SociaLiga watchers when they came from the brink of elimination to miraculously seal a first appearance in the playoffs since 2016. Citizens lost their first three games in the 2018 campaign, but seven points from a possible nine in the remaining three matches ensured they booked a place in the last six, where they will face defending champions, Saints fc, this weekend.
Their title defence has been anything but champions-like but Ayenoto says while his team has struggled all season due to a major financial problem, it won’t be an excuse when they battle SCN. “We sure had some serious challenges, but we thank God for His Grace,” said Ayenoto
Abayomi said that his wards are more than ready to finally put an end to their poor run against the Guns. I believe so,” he said, when asked if Raineri can get a win over Guns. “We have prepared adequately and our fans will be roaring us to victory. I can guarantee we are prepared to give a good account of ourselves, we [are] in a good position [so] no pressures at all.”
Speaking to the SociaLiga during his pre-match press chat, Tomi said with his team having met their initial target of a playoffs spot, despite a difficult start to the season, they have now set their sights on going a step further and then, possibly capturing the biggest of them all, the main prize.