By Ikenna Nwokedi
De Wilson Football Club of Okpuno on Saturday, 24th September 2022 emerged winners of the maiden edition of the Awka South Football League.
De Wilson FC were crowned champions after seeing off Umuawulu United FC 4-3 in a game played at the Awka City Stadium.
Emeka Oyike was the star performer bagging a hattrick as he ensured his team who went 2-0 down would bounce back by scoring in the 21st, 29th minutes and his third goal which coincidentally was the fourth for his team in the 41st minute after Izuchukwu Mbah scored in between in the 37th minute of the pulsating encounter.
Umuawulu United FC drew first blood in the 5th minute through Nonso Okoye while Pedro Chibuike who bagged a brace scored in the 12th and 63rd minutes of the game. Peace FC of Awka had earlier obliterated New Saints FC 5-1 to finish second on the league log with 22 points from 10 matches while the match between Uncle Ralph FC versus Fortune FC ended in a 2-2 affair.
Proprietor of De Wilson FC, Wilson Samuel Nwachukwu told the media that the Awka South Football League provided a solid platform towards the development of football in the administrative capital of state and beyond.
He eulogized his players for their doggedness and fighting spirit displayed during the course of the league as well as the feat of winning the maiden edition of the Awka South Football League.
“It’s a big day for the club and we are delighted to have won the maiden edition of the Awka South Football League”,
“Next season is another time to spread our hands and engage in other competitions apart from the Awka South Football League”,
“Kudos to the Awka South Local Football Council for instituting this and the sponsors as well, overall I have to say that all the teams played their part towards the success story,” Nwachukwu said.
On his part, the Chairman, Main Organizing Committee, Chief Anayo Obiakor stated that Awka South Football League has come to stay as next season will be even more competitive with many clubs indicating interest to be part of the well structured league.
He congratulated De Wilson FC for emerging Champions of the league.
Also reacting, the Chairman Anambra State Football Association (ANSFA), Chief Chikelue Iloenyosi commended the organizers for putting up a football league targeted at the grassroots.
He urged football stakeholders to be part of the success story by supporting the Awka South Local Football Council in their quest to produce the next generation of superstars.
Chairman of the occasion and PDP candidate for Awka North/South Federal Constituency, Chief Vincent Emeka Igwe described the idea behind the football league as fantastic expressing his delight to be part of the programme using the instrumentality of football to engage the youths and harness their talents.
He also thanked Awka Ambassadors and all other sponsors for championing a meaningful course in the aspect of human capital development.
Other dignitaries at the occasion were ex-Rangers and ex-Green Eagles such as Mr. Emma Osigwe, Mr. Ifeanyi Onyedika, Paul Obiakor, football stakeholders such as Nze Obinna Agunwa (Sponsor Dynamite FC of Nibo) among others.
Individual awards to deserving players went to Chibuike Akabuike of Peace FC (Most Valuable Player of the League), Emeka Oyike of De Wilson FC (Highest Goal Scorer for the League) and Chisom Akwaobi of De Wilson FC (Best Goalkeeper of the League).
The Awka South Football League is a football league project of the Awka South Local Football Council for amateur clubs within Awka South and North territory.
