Lagos Rebels maintained their impressive start to the Showtime Bowl Series XV Flag Football season on Sunday, defeating Ibom Raptors 39-25 at Showtime Arena to record a second consecutive victory.
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Coming off a crushing 56-13 opening-week win over Cross River Ikan Sports, the Rebels faced a much tougher examination from the Raptors, but quarterback Sulaimon Alhameen once again provided the attacking spark.
An early interception by Onamusi Oreoluwa gave the Rebels an immediate opportunity, and Alhameen capitalised by finding Odudu Otu for the opening touchdown. Ibom responded through Taiwo Oluwalanu’s touchdown pass to Titilayo Happiness Abanikanda to briefly move 7-6 ahead.
The Rebels regained control when Alhameen connected with Fawaz Azeez for a touchdown, but Ibom remained stubborn, with Oluwalanu finding Mustapha Babatunde for another score.
Alhameen then hit Mofeoluwa Akinrinmade for a touchdown as Lagos Rebels established a 19-13 halftime advantage.
Unlike their Week 1 demolition, this was a contest in which the Rebels were forced to keep answering questions. Ibom stayed within striking distance, but Lagos produced another 20 points after the break while restricting the Raptors to 12 to complete the 39-25 victory.
Alhameen was deservedly named Match MVP after throwing three touchdown passes and 67 yards, earning an 8.3 rating and a game-high 6.2 fantasy points. Oluwalanu led Ibom’s challenge with 4.3 fantasy points, while Babatunde contributed 3.3.
The Rebels finished with 88 total yards to Ibom’s 87, underlining just how much closer the contest was than the final margin suggested. Lagos also completed 72 percent of their passes and committed only one turnover compared with Ibom’s two.
After scoring 56 points in Week 1 and another 39 in Week 2, the Rebels have now produced 95 points across their opening two games.
The early message from Lagos Rebels is becoming difficult to ignore: two games, two wins and an offence already making a serious statement in the Showtime Bowl Series XV title race.
