Oga United Football Club of Omerelu in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State has lifted the maiden edition of the Elu championship league title by beating Junior Barcelona (also of Omerelu) 9-8 via a penalty shootout.

The first round of the penalty kick ended in 5-5, and in the ensuing dead ball shootout, Oga Untied emerged victorious.

Speaking with Tidesports shortly after the event, the captain of Oga Untied, Mr. Ikechi Ikenya, said he was not surprised at his team’s victory due to the level of preparedness and training the team under-went before the competition.

Mr. Ikenya noted that though the Junior Barcelona team was strong, they lost due to what he described as technical fault.”

He used the opportunity to thank the organisers of the tournament, pointing out that they should try to “commence the game earlier this year to avoid rush.”

According to a joint statement signed by the chairman and secretary of the organising committee, Messrs Collins Amadi and Amos Onunwor, the competition was aimed at grooming grassroots footballers to international level.

It hinted that the delay was caused by the inability of clubs to register earlier and other unforeseen technical challenges.

The statement also lauded the Bishop of  Diocese of Ikwerre, Bishop Blessing C. Enyinda, Alikor Amadi and Conlet Johnson for their doggedness towards the success of the competition.

The organisers also called on all Omerelu sons and daughters to invest in sports, especially football, “so that the committee’s dream of raising at least one international footballer will be achieved.”

Catherine Cookey-Gam