Aswani football tournament for 2023 reaches its finals as Ibia Soegbe FC wins the golden cup
By Onome Naomi
The Aswani tournament kicked off on 1st December 2023 comprising of 6 teams merged into A and B up to it’s final stage where 1st, 2nd and 3rd place will be going home with a price. The 1st team to emerge the winner will be going home with the Aswani tournament cup and a gold medal for distinctive performance.
The final competition was held on 21st December 2023 at the Aswani market between two teams namely: Ibia Soegbe FC and Remco PG while the 3rd place was occupied by the Orlu Brothers FC. The teams who played generally in the tournament are:042 Enugu, Orlu Brothers FC, Pinto FC, Remco PG FC, Ibia Soegbe FC, Nwa Mama FC.
The competition kick off tournament had 042 Enugu who won in contest with Pinto FC in a football game that ended in 2-0 as well as subsequent matches from team A and B team in close competition to reach the finals. The Aswani football tournament was established to produce talents that will represent Aswani in matches locally and internationally.
Naomi Sophy Blog reports that, In the first half of the finals Emeka number 9 player from Ibia Soegbe FC scored the first goal in the first 15mins of play followed by 2 more goals from Samson a number 10 player from same team against the opposition team Remco PG. In the second half of play, Remco PG scored a goal as Ibia Soegbe FC won with a leading goal of 3-1 against Remco PG.
Ibia Soegbe FC coach/ team manager Micheal Onwumere told Naomi Sophy Blog that his team had won opposition teams in the whole of the tournament. Reveals he is an executive member of Aswani traders association, sponsored his team and is proud of their performances and achievements, says Ibia Soegbe FC players has motivated him towards positivity.
High Chief Ezemelite CEO NTU Metals Nigeria Limited, a sponsor of the Aswani football tournament commended the effort of players who played at the finals, says the finals was fantastic and full of fulfilled expectations. He also said the cash gifts given goes to: the unbiased referee, highest goal scorer, most valuable players in the quarter finalist, semi finalist and the finalist to appreciate their efforts. Reveals that about seven talented played have been spotted from the finalist teams in confidence that they can represent Aswani well when challenged in a contest locally and internationally. Says NTU Metals Nigeria Limited will support these players and their dreams to be professional footballers. Next year NTU will also organise female football tournament in Aswani,he said.
Remigius Donatus Ngharamike PG Aswani daily market traders association commended this year’s tournament, stated that the football event significantly promoted unity amongst traders, the teams had played well while his team Remco PG came second in the competition.
Remigius Donatus also said:
“In every competition there must be a winner and Ibia Soegbe FC has obviously won due to their outstanding performance.
After the tournament, Aswani team will comprise of 11 talented players and will be fully sponsored to represent when the need arises to compete with other big markets in Nigeria.
PG of Aswani traders association Remigius adviced traders to continue to be law abiding and be responsible in the festive period. Says his administration in a fair rating has done really well in handling the affairs of the market this year but promises to do better in the new year. By January 2024, the Aswani market will have a new ultra modern look as renovation progresses, more so, the market will have more publicity in tabloids, radio, television and online media to show the world that the Aswani market do not sell scraps but modern equipments for patronage, he said.
Ukaigwe Chinonso Emmanuel, the current chairman of electrical traders association aswani and organising Chairman of the Aswani football tournament discussed the pros and cons towards achieving a successful final despite some challenges in logistics issues and little complaints from some of the teams. Says so far so good 80% of the organisation of the finals went well, his team Orlu FC came 3rd by means of a walk over as declared by the referee Rasheed Ganiu, commends the leadership of Aswani daily market, says PG is a transparent and accountable leader.
Read Also:Aswani Team Makes Debut In Football Tournament, Foster Unity
The two teams and players who played in the finals are:Ibia Soegbe FC -Austin no 7
Okenwa no 2, Orchid 8, Born great 4 and Remco PG -Ceejay water 9, Ishaiaka 5
Jaman 10,Dandolar 8, Zubby 7, Hazard 16. Ibia Soegbe FC won Remco PG in a 3-1 score making the winning team celebrated with gold medals and the ultimate tournament cup.
