Beyond Limit FC of Ogun State have put on hold their celebration of Saturday’s 2-1 win over Madiba FC of Lagos at the start of action in the 2024 Nigeria National League (NNL) Super-8.
That victory took the Ikenne-based junior team of Remo Stars FC top of their group in the promotion play-offs, but man of the match award winner in the encounter, Farouk Ogundare stressed that they cannot afford to celebrate just yet.
Ogundare admitted being excited and grateful when he was declared best player of the game at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, but he quickly added that there is still a lot of work to be done.
With their next game lingering on Monday against another Lagos-based side, Ikorodu City FC, Ogundare reckoned that he and his teammates will have to double their efforts in order to win again.
A second straight victory would seal ascent into the top-flight Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) for his youthful squad, as all semi-
finalists in the NNL Super-8 will get promotion tickets, and Ogundare affirmed that it is an achievement they are all aiming at.
The youngster added: “This win means a lot to us, because we know that every team that is here has come just for one purpose … to get a ticket into the NPFL.
“That is what is on everybody’s mind, and that’s why I will remain focused. The team will also remain focused, and nothing will be allowed to distract us here.
“We are not celebrating yet because we still have two matches to play. We will leave the celebrations till when we pick the promotion ticket. As a team, we know what is at stake, and we are not carried away by our victory over Madiba.
“We know we have two matches to go. With what our coach keeps telling us, it’s all about hard work, dedication, and positive thinking.
“With all that and discipline on our side, we will take each game as it comes, then celebrate when we eventually pick the NPFL ticket.”
Madiba will crash out of contention if they lose Monday’s first match against Inter Lagos FC (starting at 8am), while Beyond Limit would be the first to qualify if they defeat Ikorodu City in the day’s second game (beginning 11am at same venue).
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