Anioma Unity Cup Kicks off in Delta

Ogwashi-Uku, Delta – Two goals from substitute Destiny Isioma, were all the Ika South Football team needed to begin their quest for the prize of the maiden edition of the Anioma Unity Football Tournament.

The opening match of the competition which was held at the Austin JJ Okocha Stadium, Ogwashi-uku, in Aniocha South had seen both sides sizing up each other with the first half eventually ending in a draw.

The tempo, however, changed in the second half with the introduction of Isioma Destiny, who ensured that the defence of Oshimili North was kept busy.

The fleet-footed striker opened his scoring 15 minutes after coming on after outpacing his marker before slotting the ball home.

The Oshimili North side who had held its own against Ika South drew level off a blunder by the Ika South goalkeeper, Ayodele Olwasegun, popularly known as Yaro, who had spilt a free kick, with Solomon Onate pouncing on the loose ball to pull his back into the game.

Ika South took charge of the game and came close to scoring on two occasions with Destiny Isioma spotted in an offside position on both occasions.

The player, however, scored the winner in the 75th minute after latching onto a swerving pass before coolly slamming home to hand Ika South passage to the next round, where they will face Aniocha North on Thursday, at the Kwale Township Stadium.

Speaking after the match, the tournament facilitator, Mr Collins Okonkwo, described the encounter as enthralling saying it had shown that the Anioma nation was blessed with abundant talent ready to be tapped.

He said that the Anioma Unity Football Tournament was a platform being put together to discover the abundant talents that abound in the region with the aim of exposing them to the national and international stage.

Okonkwo also commended the various teams for participating in the tournament saying the competition would continue to grow in leaps and bounds.

He also lauded the immense support from well-meaning sons and daughters of Anioma nation, especially Senator Ned Nwoko, for their support.

Assuring that the best players would be scouted by a team of panellists to ensure the area discovered players who could play for the national teams like the late Stephen Keshi, Sunday Oliseh and Austin JJ Okocha.

The competition which has the nine Local Government Areas in Delta North taking part, will see the finals taking place at the iconic Stephen Keshi International Stadium, Asaba, on December 29, with prominent sons and daughters from Anioma nation gracing the event.