Stefon Fc Lift Okpata Ozuo Oha Unity Cup Again
From Everest Ezihe, Iho
What a better way to start the new year as Stefon FC, Iho lifted the prestigious Okpata Ozuo Oha, Owerri Senatorial Zone 2021 Unity cup competition back to back as they coasted home with 3-1 victory against the dreaded Black Stars FC last Saturday having won the 2020 maiden edition.
The tournament which commenced last November with 24 registered grassroots football clubs saw the two club sides emerging finalists after sending their competitors packing, thus Stefon Fc against all odds in a well attended battle of supremacy held in Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu Stadium Complex, Iho in Ikeduru LGA of Imo State humbled Black Stars Fc to lift the trophy for the second time.
The 90 minutes energy sapping encounter seems not to have lived up to expectations as Black Stars FC who were enjoying more support, justified it by opening the flood gate of goals within the 24th minutes of play, thus, making Stepfon Fc vociferous supporters to grudgingly go into limbo.
However, the early goal against the defending champion acted like a tonic that brought out purposeful, enterprising and team play football by Stepfon Fc and their never say die spirit paid off as they got a well deserved equalizer in the 40th minutes and the stadium was electrified with fans, spectators and supporters in celebration mood.
The leveller balanced the game as both teams traded with caution. However, during the second half, it was certain that the Black Stars team has lost steam, fireworks and cohesion much needed at this point in time as more experienced Stepfon Fc capitalized on these lapses to worsened their woes by tactically and effectively playing the game using the wings. As strategically expected, the dawn spirited Black Stars became weakened which made them to pay dearly to their opponent’s strategic war chest plans as they added 2 more goals within 65 minutes of play.
This is how Stepfon retained back to back the competition and trophy it won her maiden edition amidst terrific jubilations and encomium on the sponsor of the multi-million Naira annual Unity Football Tournament.
Earlier, in his speech, High Chief Chibuzo Oguzie an illustrious son of Iho Dimeze in Ikeduru Council area of Imo State and popularly known as Eze Ichee Global said that he is motivated into sponsorship of the tournament as one of the strategic ways of appreciating God’s goodness upon his life and to help in disengaging the Youths of the area from illicit drugs and other social vices.
Oguzie who’s also a business icon passionately advised Nigerian youth’s on the need to be enterprising, focused and visionary in all their endeavors.
He commended the organizers of the competition for being prudent, meticulous and disciplined while expressing gratitude to God that the tournament ended without any negative report (s).
The Sponsor further revealed his plans to better the fortunes of most of the quality but talented players discovered by assisting in securing them professional club sides within and outside Nigeria.
Highlights of the occasion was presentation of medals and giant trophy to the winning team while the second runners up got medals and prized money just as the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, the best behaved team, the highest goal scorer and the Best Officiating Referee all received monetary compensations from the donor- Eze ichie global.
