Anambra beats Imolites to clinch Igbo League Tournament in Gombe
By GOC
The road leading to Gombe, Pantami Township Stadium was jam-packed with men, women, children, security operatives, government officials politicians who had lined up and seated as if they were in a guard of honour.
The queues got thicker on both sides as they approached the gate of the stadium, sports officials, media crews, commentators such as Mr. Tony Briggs AKA (General Sugar), from AMANA Radio and Ambassador Nnamdi Peter Uche, picked from the Igbo Community who took a vintage position to catch a glimpse of the first historic Igbo community tournament between Anambra the Light of the Nation and the Imolites the Eastern Heartland.
Amidst the long awaited four months Igbo league football competition was organised by the President Igbo Youth leader, Holly Chinedu Nwokorie, alongside his local organising committee for Igbo Youth Movement resident in Gombe State, came to a close successfully without any rancor with Anambra the Light of the Nation defeating the Imolites the Eastern Heartland 1-0.
The tournament which commenced four months ago came to a climax in a grand finale on Sunday at the Pantami Township Stadium.
While speaking during the presentation ceremony of medals and trophy to the winning team after the competition, the State Deputy Governor, Dr Manassah Daniel, stated categorically that the triumphant victory goes to the entire South Eastern States, Gombe and Nigeria respectively.
The Deputy Governor was overwhelmed and commended the Igbo Youth Leader, Holly Chinedu Nwokorie, and his Local Organising Committee Members for providing opportunity to the youths to display their talents in sports as contribution in the cordial relationship amongst the various interest Groups in Gombe State.
He applauded the spirit of sportsmanship exhibited among the players and urged sports officials to be exemplary to both teams to avoid a situation that could destablise the purpose of organising the football competition.
He therefore, reiterated the government commitment to support the Youths by providing them with more opportunities to contribute their own quota to the development of sports in Gombe State.
Jatau, however, re-echoed the commitment of the State Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, to foster unity amongst the different ethnic groups in the state and to support them to contribute immensely to the socio-economic development of the State.
The Football Tournament was sponsored by some Igbo Business moguls to promote the spirit of love and unity amongst the Igbo and the peaceful coexistence of Gombe State and Nigeria at large.
In their separate interviews,the President Igbo Youth Leader, Holly Chinedu Nwokorie, said the Igbo League Tournament was fantastic and commendable. He noted that the tournament was contested among the five Eastern States of the country under the stipulated rules and regulations governing the sports commission.
Nwokorie also applauded both teams for displaying a high sense of discipline and talent,while encouraging the other 4 States to train harder and take the the trophy next year because two million naira would be set aside to any team that wins come 2023.
On his part, the Vice President Igbo Community Welfare Association ICWA,Mr Austine Onuoha, shared his thought with our correspondent, adding that in spite of his tight schedule, he was elated and excited at the final football competition.
The President commended the Imolites the Eastern Heartland for their resilience and described both teams as Chelsea’s and Manchester’s professionals.
He, however, applauded the Youth President, Holly Chinedu Nwokorie and the LOC for their patriotism, enthusiasm, love and unity exhibited among the South Eastern State of the Country.
The Secretary of the Local Organising Committee of the Igbo League Tournament, Mr Ambrose Stephen Chukwudi, disclosed that matches played were strictly guided by rules and regulations stipulated by the sports commission and these rules are offences of misconduct that attracts payment of fees and penalties.
He however, enumerated the teams that defaulted as follows:
Anambra violated by committing four yellow cards which amounted to #9000 naira while Imo committed two yellow cards and one red cards which amounted to #3000 naira.
Similarly, the Chairman Local Organising Committee, Mr Joseph Oranuche aka (Kaka) a 36-year-old man and Linguist from Nnamdi Azikiwe University during the interview with our correspondent stated that the Igbo Community resident in Gombe has created a landmark in the history of football in Gombe and Nigeria.
He described the tournament as a golden opportunity for the Youths to choose football as a business, while commending the best goal scorer Odinaka, and the best Goalkeeper Victor for displaying their talent during the football finals and described the match as the beat play in the history of the Igbo community in Gombe.
In attendance at the football match were the State Deputy Governor, Dr. Manassah Daniel, Commissioner of Youth, Alhaji Abubakar Aminu, Commissioner of Trade, Industry and Tourism, Alhaji BASHIRU Aliyu Mohammed and Special Adviser on Inter-Community Community Relations, Prince Chidebelu Cornelius Ewuzie.
Other dignitaries present include Commandant, 301 Colonel Sule Ahmed, represented by Major Agbo Didacus Chinoyelum (Operation Safe Corridor) Mallam Sidi,Col.Uche Nnabuihe, VP. ICWA, mr Austin Onuaha Maduako, Traditional Council of Chiefs, Past and Present South East Presidents resident in Gombe.
Subsequently, the LOC Chairman revealed the result of the matches played.
RESULTS.
1.Best player of the Tournament is Izuchukwu Vitus Okpowu from Imo State.
2.Highest Goal Scorer is Chinedu Victor from Enugu State.
3.Best Goalkeeper, Odinaka Denis,Imo State.
4.Best fair play team,Ebonyi State.
5.Best Coach, Emmanuel Ohakwem aka Alabama while Imo are best team of the tournament.
According to Source, Imo played seven matches and won all which made them unbeatable through the Group stages.
TEAM CAPTAINS.
1.Dikachi Kwamba-Imo State
2.Chike Ezeomouka -Anambra State.
3.Chisom Chucks,Abia State
4.Amos Kali, Ebony State.
5.Chinedu Victor, Enugu State.
TOURNAMENT.
First round of play, Imo played four matches with accumulation of 12 points which qualified them as Group Winners.
Ebonyi came second in the first round of play with total of 9 points from the 4 matches.
Anambra emerged Third position with total of six points from the four matches played.
ABIA got fourth position with three points from four matches played.
Ebonyi has zero point from four matches played.
However, Imolites celebrated their victory before the final match at Pantami Stadium,while Anambra came as undergo and threw the ball into the net.
2ND ROUND OF PLAY.
The second round of play comprises of Imo,Enugu, Anambra and ABIA State who made it successfully to the second round of play setting up another round of play that produced 9 matches conservatively that brought Anambra and Imo to the Final match.
According to information made available to Bauchi Caritas, Imo emerged as the Group winners nine points from the three matches played while Anambra came second with four points from the three matches. Enugu came third with three points from three matches and Abia came Fourth with one point.
However, four penalty appeal were observed,two for the Imo team while one to Anambra team but the Referee declined.
However, based on the performances of both teams,Imo and Anambra made it to the Finals.
FIRST ROUND OPENING MATCH.
Ebonyi 1,Abia 3
2ND MATCH
Imo 1,Enugu 0.
3RD MATCH.
Anambra 3,Ebonyi 0.
4TH MATCH.
Enugu 4,Abia 0.
5TH MATCH.
Anambra 1,Imo 2.
6TH MATCH.
Imo 3,Abia 0.
7TH MATCH.
AAnambra 4,Abia 1.
8TH MATCH.
Enugu 7,Ebonyi 1.
9TH MATCH.
Enugu 2,Anambra 1.
10TH MATCH.
Imo 4,Ebonyi 2.
2ND ROUND MATCHES.
Imo 2,Anambra 1.
2ND MATCH.
Abia 1,Enugu 2.
3RD.MATCH.
Anambra 2,Enugu 1.
4TH MATCH.
Abia 0,Imo 3.
5TH MATCH.
Imo 3,Enugu 1.
6TH MATCH.
Abia 1,Anambra 1.
TWO TOP TEAM FINALS.
IMO VS. ANAMBRA.
Imo nil, Anambra 1.
Consolation Prizes.
Anambra went home with #350,000.00 naira as first position, Imo #250,000.00 second position, Enugu #150,000,00 third position, Abia #150,000.00 fourth position while Ebonyi received #100,000.00 as the fifth position respectively.
