thurday 29th september 2022

Soccer: Igboeze South, Oji-River draw 1-1 in S-E-S-N-M Enugu State Unity Cup, Second Edition 2022/2023

BY JUDE OSSAI / ENUGU

Football fans in Enugu were thrilled at Mestalla Ngwo Park stadium, Enugu in Enugu East senatorial zone, Thursday, September 29, in the week 2 of the on-going 2022/2023 second edition of Save Enugu State Now Movement (S-E-S-N-M) Unity Cup tournament.

The match was between Igboeze South Local Government and Oji-River Local Government with Coach Alexander Obiora Conte and Coach Malouda Simeone drawing the game 1 – 1.

Coach Obiora Conte and his rival, Malouda Siemone breathed a sigh of relief when the centre referee, Atkinson blew the final whistle signalling the end of the tension soaked match.

A defensive blunder from the Oji-River goalkeeper gave Igboeze South the early goal in the 11th minute of the first half when dangling striker, Cletus Idoko, intercepted a short pass from the goalkeeper who had received a pass from his defender in 18 yard box.

The Oji-River team who had upper hand with more ball possession tried to level up the score but could not break the strong walls mounted by the Igboeze South defenders.

The first half ended in 1-0 in favour of the Igboeze South boys as both sides missed good chances to change the tide.

The second half saw the two teams playing with caution apparently to the tune of their handlers.

Smiles came to Coach Ogbonna Conte of Oji-River’s squad in the 64th minute of the play when elastic striker, Onuchukwu Christiano sent a grounder during a goal mouth scramble, beating the Igboeze South goalkeeper hands down to make the score at 1-1.

After the level up, both teams increased the tempo of the game despite the radiation from the sun as each side tried to coast into victory but the defence of each side was like a rock of Gibraltar.

The final score was: Igboeze South 1, Oji-River 1.

The tournament which is solely sponsored by the 2023 Enugu Governorship Candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC), His Excellency Pastor Donatus Obi Ozoemena, has continued to bring applaud to the flag-bearer.

The three match Commissioners and coaches of the two teams as well as captains of the squads in separate interviews with newsmen, lauded the ADC Gubernatorial Candidate, Pastor Ozoemena for sponsoring the tournament, stressing that he has given opportunity to the youths to exhibit their football talents.

Also speaking to journalists after the match, Rt. Hon. Okafor Onyeka Cyndia the Personal Assistant to ADC candidate, Pastor Ozoemena, said it would be a shame if the youths of this present generation fail to do the needful by rescuing Enugu State from the hands of these selfish leaders who have kidnapped the progress of Enugu State.

Rt. Hon. Cyndia who spoke on-behalf of his boss said the youths of Enugu state must know the difference between Deborah and Delilah. The youths of Enugu State must understand the difference between Dove and vultures. This is not a time to receive a peanuts funds from those holding your progress only in the name of campaign and sell your future and that of your beloved ones’ future.

This is why supporting the African Democratic Congress gubernatorial flag- bearer, His Excellency Pastor Donatus Obi Ozoemena, to become the Executive Governor of Enugu State 2023 will be the best decision the people of Enugu State will do.

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