It was celebration galore for members of Group A (St Joseph’s Group)Catholic Men’s organisation (CMO), of S t Jerome’s Catholic Church, Egbelu, Obio/Akpor Local Government of Rivers State last weekend after their team conquered all oponents to win the maiden St. Jerome’s Football Competition.
The Football competition, played at the Queence Event Centre, along Ogbogoro Road, off St. John’s, Rumuolumeni was part of events that marked the celebration of the 2019 Family Week of the church.
In the final match of the competition decided last Sunday andwatched by an impressive crowd of church members, their families and other guests, the finalists, st. Joseph and st. Peters groups treated the spectators to a dazzling football spectacle.
It was however, a closely fought battle that ended scoreless at regulation time. The encounter had to be settled via penalty shootout. In the ensuedshootout, . Joseph’s goalkeeper was in his elements as he stopped three of the opponents kicks to ensure that his group carried the day and earned the trophy at stake.
The Parish Priest, Fr. Polycarp Henetu was the Special Guest at the final.
To reach the final, st. Joseph maintained a perfect record, beating the same st. Peter’s team 3-1 and st. Paul’s team 4-0 in the preliminary rounds.
Speaking after the match, chairman of St Joseph’s Group, Sir Valentine Ugboma thanked God for the Victory and commended members for their handwork and commitment throughout the competition.
He said that the victory was a sign of many good things to come from and to the group and church.
Secretary of the Group, Mr. Chinedu Emedo on his part said that nobody gave the group a chance to triumph but that the team demonstrated that with unity, dedication and hard work, what many think impossible could be achievable.
He commended a member of the group, Chief Leo Sunday Nwagbo, who donated the jersey the group used in the competition.
St. Joseph’s group is scheduled to hold a thanksgiving on Sunday in appreciation to God for their victory.