Gold Cup Final Preview: Ebedei Seek Redemption, Sporting Lagos Target Dominance

Gold Cup Final Preview: Ebedei Seek Redemption, Sporting Lagos Target Dominance

By Niyi Busari 

FC Ebedei head coach and general manager, Fredrick Oliseh, has promised an all-out performance from his side as they prepare to face Sporting Lagos in the final of the 13th Gold Cup Pre-season Tournament at the FC Ebedei Stadium, Apele-Sagamu.

The match will be a repeat of their earlier Group A clash, which Sporting Lagos edged 2–1, and Oliseh believes his players are ready to turn the tables this time around.

After Ebedei’s 4–2 penalty shootout victory over Crown FC in the semi-finals, Oliseh attributed the success to discipline and relentless hard work.

 “The semi-final win against Crown FC is a testament to what we do every day,” Oliseh told Gold Cup Media Channel. “I have to thank the players, the coaching staff, and my father, Barrister Churchill Oliseh, for giving me this platform. This result reflects our commitment and consistency.”

Reflecting on his team’s journey, Oliseh emphasized Ebedei’s philosophy of combining football development with character building.

 “At FC Ebedei, we don’t just produce footballers; we build people. We told ourselves, ‘Why not us?’ and went all in,” he said. “We’re fearless, and that’s the spirit that carried us this far.”

Having finally broken the club’s semi-final curse after 13 editions of the tournament, Oliseh joked about his family’s legacy before underlining the team’s methodical approach.

 “There’s no shortcut to what we’ve achieved. It’s simply hard work—day after day,” he said. “We’ll stick to our principles against Sporting Lagos. The group stage match could have gone either way, but we’ll stay composed and give everything in the final.”

Asked about his defenders’ unexpected goal-scoring prowess—left-back Kennedy John currently leads the tournament with four goals—Oliseh laughed off concerns about his strikers’ form.

 “Kennedy might be knocking on my door for a raise,” he joked. “But it’s a team sport. We don’t rely on individuals. Whoever gets the job done, that’s what matters.”

Oliseh also paid tribute to the fans who have rallied behind the team.

 “Our supporters were incredible in the semi-final. You could feel their energy pushing us forward,” he said. “They’re a big part of our success, and we’ll give them everything in the final—expect fireworks."

Buter Confident Sporting Lagos Can Go All the Way

Sporting Lagos head coach, Jeffrey Buter, says his team will approach Saturday’s final with full confidence, believing they have what it takes to lift the Gold Cup trophy.

Sporting Lagos advanced to the final after a hard-fought 1–0 win over Lobi Stars, and Buter praised his players for their determination and tactical discipline.

 “The win against Lobi Stars was well deserved,” he said. “We showed we can compete with top sides, and we’re excited to face FC Ebedei in the final.”

Buter’s substitutions—particularly the introduction of Shola Oladunjoiye and Ibrahim Abdulganniyu in the 70th minute—proved decisive, turning the momentum in Sporting’s favor.

 “We trust everyone in the squad,” Buter explained. “Those who come off the bench must be ready to make an impact, and Oladunjoiye did just that. That’s the healthy competition we want.”

Reflecting on their earlier setback against Sunshine Stars, Buter said the team learned valuable lessons. “Against Sunshine, we dominated but didn’t score. Against Lobi, we took our chances and defended better,” he noted. “That’s the growth we’ve seen throughout the tournament.”

The Dutch tactician believes the pre-season tournament has provided an excellent platform for preparation ahead of the Nigeria National League (NNL) campaign.

“We’ve faced quality opposition—Sunshine Stars, Lobi Stars, Abakaliki FC—and it’s been a great test,” Buter said. “Regardless of the final result, we’ve proven we’re ready for the new season.”

Buter also commended his goalkeeper, Clinton Lawani, for maintaining another clean sheet.

 “It’s not just about the keeper—it’s a team effort,” he said. “Everyone defended well to make sure he didn’t face too many shots. The whole team deserves credit.”

As the curtain closes on this year’s Gold Cup, both teams have promised a thrilling finale—one that could light up Apele-Sagamu in true pre-season fashion.