1XBET Cup 2023: Bariga FC defeat Fackson to pick DBI conference ticket 

By Akeem Busari

Bariga FC has emerged winners of DBI Conference of the maiden edition of 1XBET Cup, as the Coach Ayo Julius tutored boys, defeated hard-fighting Fackson FC 1-0 to pick the sole automatic ticket of the conference. 
The game lived up to expectations, with end to end actions that kept the fans on the edges of their seats, waiting and baiting  for the opening goal of the contest. 
However, the Coach Ayo Julius boys gave more bite to their avowed ‘Ramba-Samba’ style of play, as they stepped up the pace. In the 15th minute of play, Benjamin Friday, nicked the winning goal for Bariga FC off a goal mouth scramble, for his third goal of the championship, in as many games. 
Christian James of G-Innovation FC, who emerged the highest scorer of DBI Conference, with five goals, received a branded ball presented to him by the duo of ex-Nigeria international players, Tajudeen Disu and Godwin Okpara. 
On the prize the young goleador expressed his happiness on winning the prize, even as he thanked the organisers and sponsors of the championship for providing the platform for non-league players to display their God given talents. He added that the prize would further boost his young career. 
An  obviously elated coordinator and consultant of the championship, Engr. Waidi Akanni, remarked that he was impressed by the top level of the matches, as well as, the discipline of all the teams, players and officials, even as he commended the match officials for their professionalism and guided performances throughout the games played. 
“I am really impressed by the standard of the matches played, including the discipline displayed throughout the games by the players and particularly, the referees.”
Going forward, the former Nigeria international player, enthused that fans in all the various conferences would enjoy top class organisation and exciting games, as the train of the championship moves next week to the Epe Conference, with games expected to hold at the lush grass of Odion Ighalo stadium.