By The Editor
The much heralded Mayor Super Cup 2022 kicked off inside the impressive Pa Ngele Oruta stadium, the progenitor of the ultra-modern 30,000 Olympic stadia Abakaliki, on October 15, 2022.
The opening match pitched two groups A teams: Police FC and Reformed Nkuwasi FC. Ironically, there was nothing reformed in its name.
As the match was billed to commence by 3 pm, Nkuwasi started a furor; It claimed the police team fielded players that were not police officers. Its players shouted and raked.
The Main Organising Committee (MOC) intervened and urged them to play and make their complaints formally. They would not bulge and caused rancor. The Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports and even the sponsor of the competition intervened, urging them to toe the path of reason, and due process. They did not heed.
The referee and the linesmen met and decided. The regulations guiding the competition require that they be walked over. The competition will not be halted because of unguarded defiance.
Fabian Igwe, a fan who came to the stadium with much expectation of an action-packed, football showpiece, expressed disappointment over Nkuwasi’s conduct.
“They wanted to spoil our fun. They seem to live up to their name, Nkuwasi, meaning (Scatter). But it will not work here”.
It did not work because the second match between the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and Bankers FC took center stage. It lived up to its billing as the sponsor and the youth and the sports commissioner, among other dignitaries, performed the opening formalities. The sponsor performed the ceremonial opening kick-off. Both teams to Nkuwasi’s consternation took to the pitch.
After an exhilarating first half, both teams took the fireworks to the second half. Midway into it, the NYSC team scored the solitary goal off a tantalizing right-wing cross and that settled the tie, despite their opponent’s recovery onslaughts.
Hillary Ogbonna is the Secretary of the MOC. He said that the committee would uphold the regulations guiding the competition at all times and commended the teams for their sheer football artistry.
(NB: W–Win, D–Draw, L–Loss, GF–Goal favor, GA–Goal against, GD–Goal difference, PT–Point)
Group A STANDINGS
W D L GF GA GD PT Police 1 0 0 3 0 +3 3
NYSC 1 0 0 1 0 +1 3
BANKER 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0
NKWSI 0 0 1 0 3 -3 0
SALT 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MATCH DAY 2: Group B
The second match series came on Sunday, October 16. Lions FC proved that they were true predators by devouring Immigration FC 2-0. The match was played at a frenetic pace and the Lions proved that they were true nationals who posed no migrant threat to immigration authorities.
Emmanuel Utobo is the Chairman of the MOC. He said that the competition was moving smoothly and the teams abiding by the regulations of the game. He commended the sponsor and the coordinator (commissioner) for their support towards a successful competition and his MOC members for their cooperation.
The second match of the day turned out to be the fiercest and most entertaining. The game of the stars:All stars and Future stars was played with full galaxies, with both teams scoring and equalizing for a pulsating 2:2 draw. The spectators sat on the edges of their seats and got a full dose of entertainment.
Uche Mouka (Shaba) is a member of the All-Stars team. He commended his players for their high technical output, noting that they attacked and defended well which they are known for. He expressed confidence in better performances in subsequent matches.
GROUP B STANDINGS
W D L GF GA GD PT
LIONS 1 0 0 2 0 -2 3
A.STAR 0 1 0 2 2 0 1
F.STAR 0 1 0 2 2 0 1
IMMGT 0 0 2 0 2 -2 0
……. Maxwell Umahi is a Goooaaalll…