Osun United dethrone Knights, sink Offa and devour Haji Hammed in Friendlies

  Osun United dethrone Knights, sink Offa and devour Haji Hammed in Friendlies Osun United completed a weeklong club friendlies on Friday, January 22 with a 3-1 victory over Ayiwola United of Iwo, who were silenced by goals from former Igbona Warriors striker, Ajibola Oluwole, Tunde Afolayan and Adedayo Oladayo. Meanwhile, a struggling Ayiwola United managed to score 1 goal through Lateef Bello to ensure that the team didn't return to the boundary of Osun and Oyo empty handed. The friendlies which began on Monday, January 18 saw a newly established Ijesha United bowed to Osun United after being caged by Bright Omokaro tutored lads who scored sumptuous and fantastic 3 goals in each half to coast home a *resounding victory. On Tuesday, it was the turn of Soccer FC, Osogbo, a team that comprised a conglomerate and amalgamation of finest football stars from various clubs in Osogbo and its environs who gave the Omoluabi Giants a good fight. Former Osun United's player, Rasheed Adam opened the score sheet when he coolly converted from the spot in 23rd minute, sending Arinze Okoro in goal for United into the wrong side. However, while Jabar Anifowoshe levelled up within 5 minutes, Danladi Abdulsalam silenced the home crowd, who had been rooting for the opponents, in 78th minute with a sublime finish too difficult to reach for Asunmo, one of the goalkeepers who came for trial at Osun United. On Wednesday, an NLO team from State of Harmony, who narrowly missed NNL promotion by whisker in 2019, Offa United were not too difficult to sink as they were hammerer by Osun United with a convincing 2-0 win.The goals were scored by former Rising Stars forward Ayeni Akintomide and a star to watch for Osun United this season, Monsuru Adio. On Thursday, two matches were played, against VIA Football Academy, from the Pacesetter State and Haji Hammed FC, Owode. VIA FA proved their mettle in the first half as they showed the flavour with which they reportedly used to defeat Gateway and Crown Football Clubs in friendlies. Meanwhile this unitial gragra were surreptitiously quenched as VIA FA were eventually drowned into the Osun River through a 15th minute strike by Yomi Olaoke. The second match was a walk in the park for the Omoluabi Giants who, despite fielding B' Team, ran riot over a confused Haji Hammed FC by 7 unreplied goals. Similarly on Friday, Knight FC, bankrolled by a foreign-based philanthropist Seeni Falonipe, proved stubborn in the first half and showed that they were classical on the pitch with artistic display, strong defence and good ball control. Buoyed by the presence of the club's management who came with local bands, singing and drumming in celebration of the birthday of the club's financier, the "Ife Giants" were wrecked by a well-placed, masterclass header from former Heartland and Crown FC's defender, Aleem Adebayo which shattered the iron gate of Knight FC, guarded by a tall, lanky utility player,  Aremu, to spoil the Birthday Party for the Knights. The friendlies, facilitated by the management and technical crew of the Omoluabi Giants were to put the team in good shape for the Nigeria National League (NNL) which begins on Saturday, January 30, 2021 across the federation. Expected to hold next week, if all things being equal, are friendlies against tough, NNL opposition teams such as Crown FC and Remo Stars before the first game of the season where Osun United will be guests to Go Round FC at the Krisdera Hotel Stadium, Omoku, Rivers State.