Coach of the victorious Great Achievers FC at the just concluded Ifeanyi Ekwueme Tico/Select Preseason Tournament, Michael Onyeukwu has said that everything worked in his favour during the tournament.
Speaking to Newspathfinder few days after his side in series of stellar performances took all by surprise to lift the coveted trophy, coach Onyeukwu described the victory as a well fought one.
“I will just say it was a well fought victory and God really helped us. Because we never relented despite the fact that we were losing 2-0 at the 80th minute of the game but we came back, drew the game and went to penalties and then we won on penalties. It’s a hard fought and earned victory”,
“I’m super proud of my player and there is one thing that I believe so far. Coming from Ebonyi state, I am from Ebonyi and this is the first tournament I am participating in as a coach in my state so far as a son of the soil. My ancestors, everybody, everything was in my favour. So to my players kudos to them, thanks for never losing hope and for fighting to the last minute. The same thing happened against Abia warriors at the semis, the same miracle happened during the finals”,
“I am thanking the organizers in a very special way for this platform given to us. I was actually the last team that registered for this tournament and as God may have it the last became the first. Thank you to them, thank you to the sponsor Ifeanyi Ekwueme in a special way, thanks to the LOC chairman Chief Nwaeze, thank you to everybody”.
Great Achievers FC won the giant trophy by 4-2 victory after regulation time stood as 2-2 at the Pa Ngele Oruta stadium, Abakaliki.
Speaking after the tournament, Chairman of the tournament’s Local Organising Committee, Nnamdi Chukwumeremeze, commended all the participating teams, noting that the pre-season tournament was designed to prepare the clubs for future championships.
He urged them to remain focused, describing sports like football as “good a business”. The tournament is to prepare Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and Nigeria National League (NNL) teams for their league seasons.’
Coach Chijioke Elendu of Apex FC commended his players for their efforts, saying it was a contest of “either you win or lose.
“It’s very unfortunate that my team didn’t win. Though, we started well but luck was not on our side today. I and my players are going back to prepare better.
Ten team participated in the tournament including Enyimba FC of Aba, Abia Warriors, Apex Crane FC, Mathias FC, Kun Khalifat FC of Owerri amongst others
The competition was sponsored by former Super Eagles left winger and current Enyimba FC Sporting Director, Ifeanyi Ekwueme while TICO and SELECT foreign sports kits and equipment manufacturing company.
Enyimba FC Chairman, and former Super Eagles Captain, Kanu Nwankwo added glamour to the tournament with his presence and presented the trophy with other awards.
