▪️ By Jane Ronke Ogunsakin
Aside forming a bond of Unity in Akpugo, a populous clan in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, the annual football tournament, Akpugo Unity Cup Soccer Competition aims at producing football stars that would play for professional club sides and also play for the nation’s national team.
This assertion was made by the Chairman of Akpugo Football Association, A.F.A, Dr. Jude Oguejiofor Chukwu while interacting with GMTNews reporter at Nkwo-Ogo Soccer pitch, Akpugo High School, Akpugo, during day 2 of the ongoing A.F.A organized annual football tournament.
Dr. Chukwu (seated middle) flanked by some members of AFA
Dr Jude Chukwu who also said that the competition was an avenue for football talents hunt, noted that the tournament has been on for about 30 years.
one of the club sides
Speaking further, the Chairman said: “there are six (6) club sides that are participating in the competition which are; Ugomba United FC, White Heart FC, Chris White Global FC, Ugomba Stars FC, Lions FC, and
Emirates FC.
“The purpose for organizing the matches is to bring our youth together, keep them busy and make them focused”.
A member of the organizing team, Mr Emeka Eze who doubles as the technical director of the association told GMTNews that he was happy with the high quality football at display in the matches already played. He added that they oraganize the competition so that talented ones among them could be picked for further grooming and to raise a formidable team that would represent them at national football competition.
The Coach of Chris White FC, Nnama Kanu commended the performance of his players who defeated their opponents by a lone goal netted in by Arinze Chukwu Ogbodo in the first half. He said the prosecution of the match by his boys was quite impressive. He however, lamented the that one of his players, Chisom sustained an injury in the second half of the match and was taken off the pitch for treatment.
Another club sides
Expressing his views, one of the players of Lions FC, Chidiebere Ede, said that the game was quite interesting and full of fun, adding also that his team really played well even though they lost their match of today. He added that they played well yesterday (Monday) having defeated their opponents by 3 goals to nothing. He said they were not giving up.
Chidiebere appreciated the efforts of the organizers of the competition for a job well done.
One of the spectators who gave his name simply as James, supporter of the Lions FC, expressed excitement over the level of football artistry displayed by the players during the match.
In the elimination matches so far played, on December 27, first match of the day between Lions FC vs Ugomba United FC ended in 2 goals to nil in favour of the Lions FC.
While the second match of the day between Ugomba Stars FC vs Emirates FC ended 2 – 0 with Ugomba FC carrying the day.
On day 2 of the tournament (28-12-2021), in the 1st duel, White Heart FC defeated Emirates FC by 4 goals to nil. In the second encounter, Chris White Global FC scored 1 while Lions FC couldn’t find the net.
The teams observed Wednesday, December 29, as match free day.
The tournament resumes on Thursday, December 30, 2021, at 1 PM for the first match, while the second encounter kicks off by 4 PM.
The finals of the tournament in expected to take place on Saturday, January 1, 2022 at the main bowl of Nkwo-Ogo football stadium 🏟️, Akpugo High School, Akpugo.
