Ijapo Ages Stars FC on Thursday defeated BENFAD Football Academy 1-0 in the opening match of Group C at the ongoing 2025 Crown 74 tournament at the Ijapo Housing Field, Akure.

Sunshine Stars’ recuperating player, Michael Olalusi, scored from the penalty spot to give Ijapo Ages Stars FC the lead in the 10th minute after Femi Kolawole was fouled inside the box.

Sixteen teams are competing in the tournament, which will end on 29 January 2025.

Ijapo Ages Stars FC, who recently won the second edition of the Adu Unity Football Cup for Aiyedatiwa, kept things tight from start to finish, ensuring the maximum points were secured.

Although BENFAD reacted swiftly to the early goal with positive intent to equalise, their efforts proved futile throughout the game.

BENFAD’s attempts to level the score were thwarted by a well-coordinated defence marshalled by Michael Jeremiah and his teammates.

The Ijapo landlords could have increased their lead but rued several missed goal-scoring opportunities in both halves of the encounter.

Ijapo Ages Stars FC goalkeeper, Ayomide Francis, was at his best, effectively dealing with BENFAD’s aerial balls and ensuring he ended the game with a clean sheet.

Despite both sides displaying impressive football artistry, it was Ijapo Ages Stars FC who walked away with three points, putting them at the top of the Group C table after Waxing FC and Ifedore United played a goalless draw in the second match.

Ijapo Ages Stars coach, Adetomiwa Adeola, praised his side for a job well done but acknowledged there was still work to do to solidify the team.

“We will go back to the drawing board and address some lapses we noticed in today’s game,” he said.