By: Michael Ofulue, Osogbo

After defeating Team Lagos and securing a hard-fought draw against Oyo in the keenly contested Zonal Elimination Games, the Osun Female Football Team is battle-ready to compete for honours at the National Sports Festival, set to take place in Abeokuta later this year.

The Osun Female Football Team emerged as the winners of the elimination phase. Their solid performances in both games attracted many fans at Liberty Stadium, Ibadan.

Goals from Doyin Adepoju in the 2nd minute and Sharon Shomuyiwa in the 68th minute were enough to secure a 2-1 victory over Team Lagos in their opening match.

Needing only a draw in their second match against Team Oyo, Osun fell behind in the 10th minute when Faith Ukukwe put Oyo ahead. However, their lead lasted just 11 minutes before Victory Odanlumen equalised for Osun in the 21st minute, ending the first half at 1-1.

Eberechukwu Oleka put Osun in front in the 72nd minute from the penalty spot after Aminat Abiola was fouled in the box.

A minute into stoppage time, the referee awarded a penalty against Osun after adjudging Marcus Grace to have handled the ball in the box. Favour Lazarus calmly converted the spot-kick, bringing the game to a 2-2 draw.

The result meant that Team Osun finished the elimination phase as winners with 4 points, while Lagos came second with 3 points. Oyo, with just one point, failed to qualify.