By Victor Okoye
Government College, Eric Moore, has emerged champions of the Lagos State finals of the maiden FirstBank/Samuel Okwaraji Foundation National Secondary Schools Football Competition.
A statement signed by Olabisi Joseph, President, Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF) stated that the team defeated Ikeja Senior High School 3-1 in a rain-soaked but entertaining final played on Friday at Gbagada Girls’ Senior Secondary School, Gbagada, Lagos.
The victory earned Government College the ticket to represent the state at the zonal championships, the second phase of the nationwide competition.
In Ogun State, Orile Ilugun High School defeated Segun Odegbami International Academy 5-4 on penalties after regulation time ended goalless in the state final played at the Nawair-Ud-Deen Grammar School Sports Stadium, Abeokuta.
Elsewhere, in Oyo State, Bright Ville College edged Bishop Phillips Academy 1-0 to emerge as the state’s representative at the zonal championships, which are scheduled to hold in Lagos.
The organisers said the state finals had been concluded nationwide by FirstBank and the Samuel Okwaraji Foundation in collaboration with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF).
According to the organisers, the competition is designed to provide a national platform for discovering and nurturing football talents in secondary schools across the country.
The tournament also honours the memory of ex-international Samuel Okwaraji, who died after collapsing during a 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Nigeria and Angola at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, on Aug. 12, 1989. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne