By Chigozie Chukwuleta
Ozala FC, Obosi have emerged Champions of the second edition of Igwe Nanka Anambra YSFON U-17 tournament.
The Obosi based team, a first entrants into the championship defeated hard fighting Hopeland FC 2-1 to be crowned champions.
Joshua Idioha opened scoring for Hopeland FC in the 10th minute of the game giving his side a good foundation and confidence to finish the first half with a lone goal lead.
The Ozala Boys found the Hopeland antidote in the second half when Ukachukwu Chukwuebuka with a well placed free kick restored parity in the 9th minute of second half.
Another free kick by Ukachukwu in the 27th minute of the second half provided a beautiful assist as Egbe Michael escorted into the net a goal bound ball that hit the bar.
Chairman of Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria, Anambra state chapter, Engr Akonam Obiefuna thanked God for the successful completion of the tournament that lasted for five weeks.
He appealed to sports loving individuals, corporate organizations, traditional institutions to help YSFON keep youth in the state engaged.
Speaking after the match, coach of Ozala FC, Ikenna Osueke commended his boys the fighting spirit which helped them recover from a goal deficit to win the tournament.
He thanked YSFON Anambra state and Igwe Nanka for giving the children opportunity to express themselves describing YSFON as talent basket.
The coach of Hopeland FC, Okey Emechebe in his post match interview said he is satisfied with his boys performance because according to him, “in football there are three results, win, draw and lose. It is unfortunate that our team settled for the last. We played well, it is just a game of football”.
In the third place match decided earlier, Aguata Grassroots Football Academy had a smooth ride over Soccer Stars FC, Onitsha through a walk over.
The Onitsha based team failed to show up with a complete team in a match scheduled for 12noon leaving the referee with no other option by 1.50pm than to institute the walk over procedure.
