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Zenith Bank’s Ita presenting trophy to the South
West U13 team.
Football
South West U13 Boys and South South U15 Boys have
emerged champions in this year’s edition of Future Eagles U13 and U15
tournaments organized by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) sponsored by Zenith
International Bank.
The three-day youth football event which was held at
the Godswill Akpabio Stadium was concluded on Sunday night. The NFF Youth
Football Committee headed by the NFF 1st Vice President, Barrister Seyi
Akinwunmi introduced a new format for the two categories, with the positive
implication that the League format ensured all the zones played more games
compared to the previous editions.
The six geo-political zones produced two teams (U13
and U15) respectively for the championship to make it 12 teams that participated
in the National finals after the Zonal events was held few months ago. Over 200
youth players featured in the tournaments.
“We found out that it breeds more competitiveness
among the teams in every match and it helps the players to play more matches.
For the first time all matches were played in one venue to implement this new
format,” Akinwunmi told thenff.com.
“The objective is not only to ultimately identify
and nurture the best Nigerian young players in the U13 and U15 categories each
year, but also to encourage Boys Clubs and Academies to register with their
respective State FAs in order to enable their players participate in this
competition, to address the alleged scourge of age cheating, to expose the
children to other cultures and teach them new social skills.
“We will not rest on our oars but instead continue
to improve the program. We have this year invited the National U17 chief coach
Manu Garba to witness the tournament, make his observations and give advice. We
intend to include a female version of the program, and have the trainers program and
certification for our youth coaches which will take place prior to the next
edition.
“I am impressed the tournament is getting more
competitive, the adults are gaining more understanding about youth tournaments,
there is more technical input at the U15 and the U13 levels and we have
talented boys who can express themselves brilliantly in match situation. I was
particularly impressed with the officiating by the young referees. I have a lot
of hope for the future of football in Nigeria, and I want to appreciate the
Akwa Ibom FA and the State Government for their efforts.”
South West U13 Boys spanked North Central U13 Boys
5-0 in the final game to finish top of the U13 event group with 15 points from
five games, three points ahead of second-placed South South who finished second
with 12 points. Light Chijioke’s hat-trick and two goals from Francis Ajibola
and Oyedeji Segun sealed the title for the South West Boys.
The U15 final produced a photo-finish between South
East U15 Boys and South South U15 Boys in the final game. Before the final game
South East were top of the table with 12 points while South South had 10 points
and placed second. First half of the encounter was cagey and ended goalless,
but two quick second half goals from Isaac Ekom and Joseph Atie propelled the
South South Boys to a 2-0 win in the final game, as they emerged champions in
the U15 event with one point ahead of South East.
Officials of Zenith Bank led by Assistant General
Manager and Akwa Ibom Zonal Head, Mr Asuquo Ita were impressed by the
performance of the boys as the two final matches recorded seven goals. Mr Ita,
who took the official kickoff and was honoured to meet with the players of the
four teams, presented the medals and trophy to the winners and applauded the
idea behind the Future Eagles project while commending the Federation.
“We are impressed with the level of football
development at this grassroots stage and the abundant of work the NFF has put into
organizing this amazing programs for youth football. I am a lover of football
and I do follow all Nigeria national teams, we are happy to associate with
football at this grassroots level and we’ll continue to work with the NFFto
improve the project yearly. Obviously, there are talents in this country and
it’s important we create an environment for competition and exposure for the
kids to explore,” Ita told thenff.com.
NFF Executive Member and Akwa Ibom FA Chairman,
Emmanuel Ibah; NFF Executive Member and Enugu State FA Chairman, Chidi Ofo
Okenwa; NFF Executive Member and Ogun State FA Chairman, Ganiyu Majekodunmi
and; Golden Eaglets head coach, Manu Garba witnessed this year’s edition in
Uyo.
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