Gateway Games 2024: Merciless Team Ogun Boys Clinch Football, Demolish Kwara 4-1 As Delta Girls Overcome Flamingos 7-6 In Penalty Drama To Win Female Final

Host Team-Ogun Male Football side on Tuesday showed no mercy for their opponents from Kwara State in a final match for the ultimate gold medal as they demolish them 4-1 Inside the magnificent mainbowl of the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Kuto, Abeokuta the State capital 

The Ogun boys who had earlier set out Nigeria's Golden Eaglets in the semi final of the male football event at the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival, were just too hot for the Kwarans to hold in the match as they went on rampage scoring goals to the admiration of fans at the stadium 

In female final earlier played, goalkeeper Oparanyanwu Favour turned out to be the heroin of the keenly contested match that won the gold medal for Delta State side 

Oparanyanwu Favour rose to the occasion as she saved two decisive spot-kicks to hand Delta a dramatic 7–6 victory.

Both sides had ended the regulation time in the encounter goal less but tactically solid Delta girls were able to overcome t

Tough challenge from Flamingos

Oparanyanwu Favour was the standout hero as Team Delta’s female football team clinched gold at the 22nd National Sports Festival, Gateway Games Ogun 2024, after a gripping 7–6 penalty shootout victory over the Invited Junior Athletes.

Delta thought they had scored the opener midway through the second half, but the centre referee ruled the goal offside a decision that sparked protests from the bench and fans, who felt it should have

Speaking after the match, Favour dedicated the victory to the Delta State Sports Commission Chairman and her teammates, attributing the win to their unity and belief.

“This medal is for our Chairman, the entire Team Delta family, and everyone who believed in us,” Favour said. “It was not easy, especially with the kind of unsupportive audience we faced, but we stayed focused and got the result.”

Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Hon. Onoriode Oborevwori, could not hide his excitement. He described the encounter as the highlight of the entire festival, praising the team for their composure and resilience under intense pressure.

“I had to leave the VIP section and join the crowd because it felt like a continental cup final,” Oborevwori said. “The tension and anxiety were overwhelming, especially knowing that the entire stadium supported our opponent, But our girls stood strong, held their nerves, and delivered. I’m extremely proud of them.”

With this victory, Team Delta continues to dominate the medals table at the Gateway Games.