Methodist High School Owo shoot out Emure-Ile to book historic final in Olowo’s Cup
By Jimoh Ahmed
Methodist High School, Owo, has booked a place in the final of the 2025 Olowo’s Cup Football Tournament, following a dramatic 4–3 penalty shootout victory over Emure Community Grammar School, Emure-Ile.
The tense semifinal match, played at the Sports Complex of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, saw MHSO Kings take an early lead just two minutes into the first half when their captain converted a penalty after being brought down in the box while heading toward goal.
Emure Grammar School responded in the 19th minute, leveling the game through a well-placed header off a corner kick. Both teams displayed tactical prowess in the first half, which ended 1–1.
Emure struck again early in the second half, making it 2–1. However, the MHSO boys fought back, earning a free kick just outside the box after Joseph Blessing was fouled. The MHSO captain once again stepped up, beating the wall and the goalkeeper to draw level at 2–2.
With no further goals scored in regulation time, the match proceeded to penalties. Methodist High School converted four of their five kicks, while Emure managed only three.
The victory means MHSO’s male team has now matched the feat of their female counterparts, who had earlier reached the final of the maiden edition of the Olowo’s Cup Female Tournament. Methodist High School thus becomes the first institution in the history of the competition to have both male and female teams qualify for the final.
Chairperson of the METHSOOSA Sports Committee, Lady Bosede Adebayo, congratulated both teams for what she described as an unprecedented achievement. She urged them to remain focused on the ultimate goal — winning both trophies.
Lady B appreciated the school , especially those in-charge of the kitchen for the feeding of the players.
She also appreciated committee members, alumni, and donors whose support made the success possible, and extended gratitude to everyone who contributed to the teams’ journey so far.
Meanwhile, the final has been postponed to a yet-to-be-announced date, which this newspaper reliably gathered will likely coincide with the internationally recognized Igogo Festival.
