Ahead of tomorrow’s Oyo State Governor’s Cup final, Bashorun High School team coach, Ibrahim Fadare on Monday said his school wants to win the 2024 edition of the competition.
Bashorun High School will face Bishop Philips Academy at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan from 11:00 am after the third place match between Olanipekun Memorial College, Kisi Vs Government College Ibadan scheduled for the same venue at 9:00 am.
The competition was sponsored by Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Ltd and organised by the School Sports Foundation.
Fadare predicting their win is based on their current form just as he called all fans to come en masse to watch the match.
“I’m basing our expectation on the current form of the players more so that we have no injuries worry.
“Our first 11 are on set; we have a reasonable bench, we have in-form players who are ready to make our day.
“We will not be relaxed against our opponents as we want to go for the first prize.
“I’ve told my players that in this final chances are slimmer, and we have to convert all our chances.
“I have two assistants, who go out to monitor other centres, so we have a video clip of our opponents.
“We know their key players, their weakness, their maturity and we know what they may want to explore on our team and as we were watching them, they were also watching us,” he said.
Kayode Aladeloye, vice-principal who is also the chairman, sports committee described the competition as a welcome development and a platform to catch them young from the grassroots.
Aladeloye said that the school had a football team before the competition and that they had been training hard and engaging the players in a series of friendly matches.
“By the grace of God, we are winning as we are ready to move all our students to the venue of the final so as to give moral support to the players.
“So, the idea of intimidation from any quarters will not be there; we would rather intimidate them rather than intimidate us.
“We know the meaning of going to the stadium with fans, and our players are fully ready to carry the cup at the end of the day,” he said.
President of Bashorun Old Students Association, Bimbo Akorede, encouraged the players to go and give in their best in ensuring they make the school proud.
He enjoined them to play without any form of intimidation from any quarters saying the cup is there for them to win.
“One of the things we have done is to give moral support to the players, and I think that is one of the major things.
“We’ll ensure as many old students as possible, and their friends are physically present at the stadium to give support to our school.
“Aside from that, as association and individuals level, some of our members have also contributed to the donation of first aid boxes, buying of jerseys, provision of refreshments, rentals of luxurious boxes, just to support our alma maters,” he said.
Captain of the school, Moore Zion, said they would try their best to make their school proud as they put their hope in God.
Meanwhile, Dr Olusoji Olatunji, one of the 1985 set of Bishops Philips Academy, has expressed optimism ahead of today’s final.
Olatunji, who is the Head of the Department, Mass Communication, the Polytechnic Ibadan, said his alma mater has what it takes to lift the trophy as they have put everything in place to motivate the school team.