The Tide Team Wins SWAN Henry Kalio Cup

Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Hon Boma Iyaye presents the maiden Rivers SWAN Henry Kalio Cup to the captain of The Tide/Independent Monitor team, Isaac Mbah after the final match of the competition in Port Harcourt, yesterday

The combined team of The Tide and Independent Monitor Newspapers yesterday at the Sharks FC Stadium emerged winners of the maiden Rivers State Chapter of Rivers State Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN Henry Kalio Five –A-Side football competition in Port Harcourt.
The team shocked previously undefeated Garden City FM team 3-2 to become kings of the sports writers competition which was played in honour of former Chairman of the State Chapter of SWAN and ace sports journalist, Henry Kalio.
It was an exciting final match that saw two of the best eight teams that started the race on display.
Team Tide/Indpendent Monitor showed poise, class and cohesion as they outmanoured pre-match favourites, especially in the first half of the encounter.
They raced to a two goal lead in the first half and made it three in the second half before crisis in the second half mounted on unlikely fight back with two quick goals.
However, the comeback amounted to nought as they ran out of time with the referee sounding the final whistle that saw the winners enter the record books.
To get to the final, team Tide/Independent Monitor had steamrolled waves FM 5-2, Cool/Wazobia/Nigeria Info FM 2-1 and narrowly lost 1-2 to Garden City FM in the group stage.
In the semi final match, it was a comprehensive 5-2 victory over Rhythm 93.7 FM that qualified them for the final.
Receiving the victorious team in his office later, the General manager of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Publishers of The Tide Newspapers, Mr. Celestine Ogolo noted that the team had made history.
He said that the achievement had given added impetus to the image of the Corporation and expressed confidence that the team would successfully defend the trophy in the next edition of the competition.
He further commended the players and assured continued support from the Management of the Corporation.
In the third place match of the competition, Rhythm 93.7 FM walked over team Treasure FM to claim the second runners-up position.