Joseph Dosu has described the Ex Internationals Cup competition as an important reunion platform for former Nigerian internationals.
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The 1996 Olympic football gold medalists, Dosu Joseph added that it is also creating opportunities for younger players to show their talent.
The former Super Eagles goalkeeper spoke on Friday after FC Dosu’s elimination from the competition following a 3-2 aggregate defeat to FC Babington in the Round of 32 at the Rehab center Isheri football field.
FC Dosu played out a 1-1 draw in the second leg at the Rehabilitation Centre Field in Isheri, but FC Babington progressed after securing 2-1 victory in the first leg at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.
Reacting after the match, the former Nigerian international expressed appreciation to the organisers, particularly the Bet9ja Foundation and the competition’s leadership, for sustaining a platform that reconnects ex-footballers.
“We have to thank the organisers, Bet9ja Foundation and the honourable chairman for creating a very good platform for ex-internationals and also the young ones,” Dosu told Sports 247.
“We knew it was going to be difficult, but we gave everything we had. Unfortunately, we could not get the result we wanted. It would have been better if we progressed to the next round, but congratulations to the winners.”
Dosu also highlighted the emotional value of the tournament, noting that it has reunited many former players who have not seen each other in years.
“Yes, it is a reunion platform. I have seen some people I have not seen for ages,” he said.
“Seeing everybody together again at both the first leg at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena and here today goes a long way for us. It is a very good platform and we are enjoying it.”
FC Babington advanced to the Round of 16 after surviving a late FC Dosu comeback in a fiercely contested second-leg encounter.
Peter Emmanuel gave FC Babington an early lead before Ayatu Akindele converted a stoppage-time penalty to earn FC Dosu a 1-1 draw on the day, although it was not enough to overturn the aggregate deficit.
Goalkeeper Alabi Sulaiman produced several crucial saves during the encounter to help FC Babington secure qualification to the next round of the Lagos Ex-Internationals Cup.
