The Sigma Sports Festival is gradually winding down, and on Monday, September 29, 2025, the semi-finals served up two fascinating clashes: SFA against Forza and TomTom against Galacticos.
SFA kicked off against Forza at 3:49 PM under a scorching sun, with fans scrambling for shade beneath the sparse trees lining the edges of the Old Football Pitch. Within seconds, SUB erupted as Forza nearly stunned the champions with Jamiu dragging a glorious chance wide when it seemed easier to score. Both teams started strong, but gradually SFA began to see more of the ball. Agbowo’s crosses twice found free heads, and twice the finish was put disappointingly wide. Forza then missed a chance of their own, with SFA keeper Tommyagi sprawled on the floor. That moment seemed to mark a nervy spell, as Tommyagi and his defence repeatedly miscommunicated, conceding cheap corners and throw-ins. Coach Olowu was livid on the touchline, bellowing at his defence while the second goalkeeper began warming up to the crowd’s amusement. Yet another miscommunication in the SFA backline afforded Seals Cup All-Timer Karbon an opportunity from outside the box, but he could only put it wide. At halftime, it remained goalless.
SFA targetman Korede got the second half underway, and his side almost struck immediately, denied only by a last-ditch block. But Forza had the momentum now, creating half-chances while Tommyagi and his defense continued to live dangerously. Then, against the run of play, a poor-headed clearance fell kindly for Oba, who nodded home to put the holders 1–0 ahead. Coach Olowu immediately swapped his keeper, sending on veteran Olami to see out the win. Rain began to fall lightly as Forza pushed for an equaliser, but they couldn’t find a way through. At the full-time whistle, it was SFA who advanced—still alive in pursuit of a fourth consecutive crown.
At 5:01 PM, under the intensifying rain, TomTom and Galacticos took to the field. The slippery pitch made early exchanges nervy, but both keepers were quickly called into action. TomTom slowly asserted control, and four minutes before halftime, they got their reward when Mjay’s foraging run into the box was illegally halted, allowing Deji to comfortably convert from the spot and give TomTom a 1–0 lead at the break.
TomTom resumed just as they left off in the first half—and you would be forgiven for thinking they were the ones trailing. Their reward came when Akinpade finished off a neat move to double the advantage, scoring his fourth goal of the tournament in the process. Just minutes later, he nearly had another, but the Galacticos keeper got down quickly to save. With the rain easing, TomTom’s crisp passing delighted the crowd, and substitute Habeeb tested the keeper twice before captain Mjay blazed over the rebound to loud groans from the stands. Frustration boiled over for Galacticos when #80, Ocean, was sent off for dissent just as he was about to be substituted. Reduced to ten men, Galacticos could offer little resistance. Mjay wasted the final big chance, firing it straight at the keeper, but by then it mattered little. The whistle soon confirmed TomTom’s 2–0 victory and a third straight trip to the final.
And so, once again, it will be SFA and TomTom under the Old Football Pitch lights on Wednesday, October 1. It’s déjà vu in the final: SFA chasing a fourth straight title, and TomTom desperate to finally break the curse.
