The controversial fixture between Isote FC and Oko FC in the ongoing Sagamu Youth Football Tournament finally reached a decisive and anticlimactic conclusion on Sunday as tournament officials awarded a walkover victory to Isote FC.
The ruling was made after Oko FC failed to appear for the rescheduled match.
The match, which has been the center of a heated local dispute, was originally set for Thursday. That day, the game was postponed when Isote FC arrived with only seven total players—falling short of the required eight outfield players and one goalkeeper. Oko FC had immediately demanded a walkover win at the time, but the organisers intervened and rescheduled the contest for Sunday at 8:00 AM.
According to Isote FC Head Coach, Oresanya Taofeek, his team fulfilled their obligation by reporting to the field on Sunday morning and waited for the mandated period.
"We were here as required by the officials and waited until noon," Coach Taofeek stated. "Oko FC never showed up."
Tournament officials confirmed the absence of Oko FC and subsequently declared the result as a walkover victory in favour of Isote FC.
Heated Dispute and Allegations
The ruling brings a formal end to a contentious saga that has dominated local football discourse. Prior to the final decision, Oko FC's coach had made serious, public allegations of corruption against tournament officials, suggesting the rescheduling was improper. Furthermore, he accused Isote FC of accepting bribes from another team, Eleja FC—claims that were vehemently denied by all parties involved.
The Sagamu Youth Association, organisers of the event, had been compelled to issue a public statement earlier in the week, defending the integrity of the competition. The association urged all participating teams and their representatives to use proper channels for airing grievances rather than resorting to what they termed "falsehoods or media blackmail."
With the walkover now declared, the Sagamu Youth Football Tournament will proceed, though the controversy has sparked broader conversations within the community regarding sportsmanship, fairness, and conflict resolution in local grassroots competitions.
