Anambra state Commissioner for Local government and Chieftaincy Matters Mr Tony Collins Nwabunwanne gave his side victory scoring the first tournament goal as the Anambra State All Stars Games begin.
The super sub Nwabunwanne changed the tune of the game few minutes to the end of the opening match between Okpoko All Stars and Awka Capital Elite FC Awka.
Nwabunwanne got a pass from supporting striker Chukqudi Anyefena and fired a direct shot from the outside 18 yard box of Okpoko All Stars to change the narrative of the game.
Okpoko All Stars did the playing having dictated the pace in both halves of the game against the Awka Elites whose saving grace was their goalkeeper.
At the opening ceremony of the tournament the Chairman Anambra Football Association and former Supper Eagles player Mr Chikelue Iloenyosi noted that the concept was to bring back the spirit of football to the state.
Iloenyosi said that a total of 24 teams from across the state are taking part in the game urging corporate bodies and well to do individuals to buy into the project.
Anambra state Deputy Governor Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim described the tournament as instructive adding that government would assist in no small way to ensure its success.
“I commend the FA Chairman for this and he has taken up the challenge of bringing back the past glories of Anambra in the area of football” he said.
One of the award recipients and former Green Eagle player and Supper Eagles Assistant coach to late Stephen Keshi , Mr Sylvanus Okpala said that such tournaments would bring hope to the football lovers and increase interests of the younger generation.
“Yes the tournament is for those who are 40 years and above but a lot of younger people are here and they can see that what their fathers and elder brothers are doing is possible”
“But my take is that we should look into resuscitating the Youth Football because we all started the same way from primary and post primary schools and we were home based plays before going abroad for professional football” he said
