Jude Agbeyeke
Ika South has emerged winners of the maiden edition of the Anioma Unity Football Tournament after beating Ukwuani Local Government 3 – 2 in an epic final played at the iconic Steven Keshi International Stadium, Asaba.
Ika South led by Coach Timothy entered the game like lions with fire on their tails and their fast play was too much for Ukwuani team to comprehend which saw Ika South scoring 3 goals within twenty minutes of thee first half.
The Ukwuani Coach sensing a mauling made double substitutions which brought a level of respite to the team as they held off the rampaging Ika South till the 40th minute when a careless play by Ika South goalkeeper, Adeyemo Oluwasegun popularly known as Yaro gave Ukwuani a lifeline into the game as they reduced thee deficit.
On resumption of the second half the Ukwuani team came out gun blazing and could have reduced the tally further within five minutes of the second half but Yaro saved thee blushes of thee Ika South side with aa superb save which resulted in a corner kick.
The goalkeeper was called again into action and he posted another good save.
Bouyed by their near misses Ukwuani increased the pressure and were rewarded with a free kick just outside thee vital area.
The resultant free kickboxing sailed into the net beating Yaro who had leapt high to clear but failed in the attempt.
Ika South who had been lethargic since thee beginning of the second half woke up from their slumber and almost increased its tally barely a minute after conceding the frekicl but the point blank shot from Isioma Destiny the danger man for Ika South wwa swiftly parried by the Ukwuani goalkeeper for a corner kick.
Destiny sustained the attack for Ika South and again the goalkeeper kept his side in the game with another superb save to leave the scores decent.
A last minute to draw level by Ukwuani was quickly snuffed out by the defence line of Ika South with the game ending 3 – 2.
Speaking after the game, former Super Eagles midfielder, Edema Fuludu lauded the quality of football on display asserting that Delta State had abundant talents but needed platforms such as the Anioma Unity Football Tournament to showcasetheir skill to the world.
The 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner and former Chairman of the Delta State Football Association, lauded Senator Ned Nwoko for sponsoring the competition saying his dedication to ports development was unmatchable especially with the comencement of the Sports University in Idumuje-ugboko owned by Senator Prince Ned Nwoko.
The former BCC Lions of Gboko midfielder also commended the organizers and variuis teams for putting up a classical display saying if sustained the state would take its place again in the national teams like in the years gone when three successive Captains of the Super Eagles came from Delta State.
The Coordinator of the Anioma Unity Football Tournament, Mr. Collins Okonkwo thanked the Chairman Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Prince Ned Nwoko for the opportunity given to Anioma sons to showcase their skills saying the competition threw up several players who can become world beaters if properly harnessed by thee football governing body thee Nigeria Football Federation.
Acvording him talents discovered at the tournament would be groomed to become world stars and urged other well placed Anioma sons and daughter to emulate Senator Nwoko in building a better society for its people through sports and other meaningful ventures.
Meanwhile Anichaa South finished in 3rd place after annihilating Oshimili South 5 – 1 in the 3rd place match also played at the Steven Keshi International Stadium, Asaba, with Adeyemo Oluwasegun emerging best goalkeeper of the tournament while Eze Tobe of Aniocha South emerged most valuable player and Pele Gambo also of Anicha South finished as the highest goal scorer with four goals he scored in the 5 – 1 crushing of Oshimili South.
