By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Awka
The maiden edition of Anambra Super 8 football tournament, Monday, kicked off at different parts of the state with ten clubs qualifying for second round.
The tournament organized by the Anambra State football Association (ANSFA) was officially kick started in a kickoff at NEROS stadium Nanka by Ubaka Patrick Okeke, the president of Aspire FC, sole sponsor of the event.
However, some teams respectively played at ANSPOLY football stadium Mgbakwu, Awka Township stadium and Ikpeazu stadium had Smithcity Awka FC defeating Global City FC Umunnachi with one goal thereby qualifying for the next round just as Rangels FC used two goals to win John Paul FC that scored one goal, while Big-T Global FC Umunya sent Ozala FC home with one zero.
Similarly, Golden Boys FC Onitsha got three points as walkover against Emmy King Nsugbe that never turned up for the event, while in penalties after goalless matches, Hark Dove Awka FC used 7 to 6 to defat the Young Africa FC Nawgwu as Uncle Ralph Isuaniocha used 4 to 2 to rundown Ogene FC Obeledu.
Also, MEKON FC Umunze recorded 2 goals against 1 to defeat Ajali United, as Solar Spiders 1 score sent Peace FC parking, Ifechukwulu FC 1-0 Nasco Int FC, Solar Spiders Nibo 0-2 Peace FC Awka, and DOSAD FC Enugwu-Ukwu that used 2 to 1 to thrash Amawbia United.
The tournament featuring 27 grassroots based teams from across three senatorial zones in Anambra state, would continue till March 2021 when the champions (winning clubs) would be receiving N500,000; N400,000 and N200,000 respectively.
The Chairman, Super 8 Organising Committee, Prince Oliver Ndihwe had in an interview said the project aimed at discovering, nurturing and developing talented footballers from the grassroots with a view to making them world champions
Some of the coaches whose teams played on Monday, Mr Okwudili Nwibe, Dr Abakare Chris, Mr Okey Ofili,Azubuike Emmanuel and Ifeanacho Okwudili hailed the outcome, assuring better performance in future matches.
