AMAPRO 26: Dickalo FC, Gaa Akanbi Secure Historic Final Berths
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The semifinals of 2026 AMAPRO Football Championship delivered drama, comebacks and penalty shootout heartbreaks as Dickalo FC and Gaa Akanbi FC booked their places in the final after two thrilling encounters.
Dickalo FC produced one of the tournament’s comebacks to eliminate Laycon FC on penalties.
Laycon looked to be cruising after Moshood Olaniyan converted an early penalty in the 6th minute before Taofeek Olatunde doubled the advantage just before halftime.
Dickalo refused to surrender with veteran striker, Wasiu Jimoh leading the comeback drama with a rebound finish in the 68th minute before producing a sensational strike from the edge of the area four minutes later to level the scores at 2-2.
With neither side able to find a winner in regulation time, the contest was decided from the penalty spot, where Dickalo held their nerves to triumph 5-4 and secure a place in their first-ever final in the tournament.
For Laycon, it was another painful semifinal exit as they failed once again to overcome the last-four hurdle.
The second semifinal was equally dramatic as was decided by shootouts after both last year’s finalist, Discovery FA and Gaa Akanbi FC settled for 2-2 in normal time.
Discovery FA took the lead through Samaila Haruna in the 34th minute, but Taiye Olawepo responded just two minutes later to bring Gaa Akanbi level.
Late drama followed as Hussani Hussani restored Discovery’s lead in the 87th minute, only for Oladipo Ibrahim to equalise in the 90th minute and forced a penalty shootout.
Gaa Akanbi were flawless from the spot, converting all five penalties, while Discovery missed one of theirs as Gaa Akanbi claimed a 5-4 shootout victory.
Gaa Akanbi knocked out in the quarter finals last year by eventual champions House Of Prayer will now compete in their first AMAPRO tournament final, while last year’s runners-up Discovery FA bow out in heartbreaking fashion.
The 2026 AMAPRO Football Championship final will go down on Sunday, July 12th 2026, inside the Rashidi Yekini Mainbow, George Innih Stadium Ilorin, with Dickalo FC and Gaa Akanbi FC chasing history in what promises to be a thrilling championship showdown.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
