Delta fast-track next football stars

Delta State has been at the forefront of football development in Nigeria and moved a step further by fast-tracking the discovery of schoolboy stars through the inaugural Secondary Schools Soccer tournament for the Governor’s Cup. 

Conceived by the sports-loving Delta State governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, the initiative is designed to revive secondary school football in the state.

Uduaghan revealed that outstanding players discovered will form the state academicals which will be a model side.

“I’m excited with the outcome of this edition and the 2014 edition will be even bigger,” Uduaghan told supersport.com.

No fewer than 500 secondary schools competed in the Governor’s Cup and Comprehensive Secondary School, Ogwashi-Uku, entered the history books as winners after a 1-0 victory over Alegbo Secondary School, Effurun.

The matchday final watched by a full-house including top government functionaries at the Warri City Stadium produced the desired fireworks.

Supersport.com learnt that the Comprehensive Secondary School, Ogwashi-Uku trio of Ugo Anene, midfielder, Felix Oseme and skipper Joshua Ishiekwene are amongst the discovered stars at the competition, which kicked off in November, 2012.

Anene was impressive on the left flank just as Ishiekwene made his defence line problem free.

Interestingly, Anene’s brilliant effort from the left flank was perfectly connected by Victor Odiwanor for the only goal of the final.

Indeed, the competition achieved the set objectives as several youngsters were selected to form the State Academicals.

Principal of Comprehensive Secondary School, Ogwashi-Uku, Prince Henry Okoh applauded his students for their impressive performance. “It’s reward for hard work. We ensured the students prepared well for the competition. In fact, the school’s performance in the Shell Cup boosted our teamwork,” Okoh said to supersport.com.

For their victory, Comprehensive Secondary School, Ogwashi-Uku received N2 million, a 30-seater bus and will be sponsored for a trip abroad.

Winners:

Gold: Comprehensive Secondary School, Ogwashi-Uku

Silver: Alegbo Secondary School, Effurun

Bronze: Edjekota Secondary School, Ughelli

Road To Victory

Zonal Play-Offs: Qualified from Agbor Zone

Quarterfinal:

v Community Secondary School, Ogume 3-0

Semifinal

v Edjekota Secondary, Ughelli FT 0-0 (3-0) PK

Final:

vs Alegbo Secondary School, Effurun 1-0