By Ikenna Nwokedi
Team Nigeria success at the FC Bayern Munich Youth Global Cup is expected to serve as a springboard for the formation of the FC Bayern Elite Academy in Anambra State.
Team Nigeria on Saturday, 15th October 2022 emerged Champions of the 2022 edition of the FC Bayern Munich Youth Global Cup beating their opponents from Japan 3-1 in the Finals played at the OlympiaStadion Munchen, Germany.
A total of 8 nations featured in the tournament which saw Team Nigeria drawn in Group B alongside Singapore, Japan and Mexico.
Nigerian team which has two players of Anambra extraction Chidera Nnadi and Nzube Mbezue sponsored to the tournament by Dr. Emeka Okeke’s Aspire FC Foundation were in action as they helped their team top the group with 7 points having won two matches and drawn one with Mexico (2-2) winning Singapore (3-0) and Japan (1-0).
Team Nigeria obliterated South American giants Argentina (4-0) in the Semi-finals and would go on to clinch the coveted trophy beating Japan (3-1) in the finals with the Asian side hitherto seeing off USA in the other Semi-final contest.
The Team Nigeria contingent also sponsored to the event by Aspire FC Foundation had a management team consisting of Aspire FC Team Manager, Mr. Augustine Amakom Okoye and Aspire Foundation Brand Publicity Director, Miss Chisom Jennifer Omeokachie.
Aspire Foundation is owned by Dr. Emeka Okeke who has continued to redefine football administration in the state with the initiative of ‘My Anambra Football’ which gave birth to the maiden edition of ‘My Anambra Football’ Super 8 tournament held in 2021.
The youthful human resource manager and human capital developer laid the foundation for the feat recorded by Team Nigeria by bringing home and sponsoring in full the 2022 edition of FC Bayern Munich Youth Cup Nigeria tournament held in April 2022 at the Awka City Stadium which led to 10 of these under-16 Nigerian teenage footballers embarking on the trip to Germany for the FC Bayern Munich Global youth cup tournament.
The victorious Team Nigeria are expected back in the country in couple of days with a scheduled visit to the state as part of efforts to bring the Nigerian Youth Cup to Anambra State and the main goal which is to set up FC Bayern Elite Academy in Anambra State.
*Summary of Team Nigeria’s participation at the tournament*
*First Group Match:*
Nigeria 🇳🇬 *3-0* Singapore 🇸🇬
*Second Group Match:*
Nigeria 🇳🇬 *1-0* Japan 🇯🇵
*Third Group Match:*
Nigeria 🇳🇬 *2-2* Mexico🇲🇽
*Semi-finals:*
Nigeria 🇳🇬 *4-0* Argentina 🇦🇷
*Finals:*
Nigeria 🇳🇬 *3-1* Japan 🇯🇵
