Ibeku Football Team has emerged winners of the Okaka Mbaise Unity Cup after a 1-0 victory over Umuhu at the final of the Competition played at Lagwa Primary school ground and attracted over three thousand spectators across the Okwuato clan.
Obinna Opigwe scored the only goal of the final in the second half.
That drew visitors across the south-east including the Federal Commissioner representing Enugu State at the federal Character commission Ambassador Ginika Tor-Willams and member representing Okigwe North at the House of Representatives Hon. Miriam Onuoha.
The donor Chief Sir Emma Ogonna PhD. Okaka Mbaise. said he decided to use football to unite youths of the area, with the male and female teams playing at the same time, which has gone a long way to restore the confidence of the youths.
The competition also instilled the spirit of unity among members of the community, as one built on hardwork by the founding fathers.
Earlier, Umuhu Women Team defeated Ibeku by 2-0 to lift the women trophy. There was award and reward for best player, best goalkeeper, highest goals scorer and best behaved player.
The competition saw a player from the lower league in Germany playing for Ibeku and former Golden Eaglet player for Umuhu in the final.
Lagwa and Umunokwu Lagwa Communities, took third place positions as they were caught up in a “walk – over” situation they brought upon themselves, Players received individual award because Chief Ema Ogbonna decided to carry everyone along.
Both men, women, and youths prayed God to sustain Chief Ogbonna who thought it wise to bring the Unity Cup match back to life after 20 years when the Unity Cup last took place.
Dignitaries at the Match include; the SA to Senate President Vitalis Onuoha, Chief Eugene Nwogu (Of na Ogu), Chief Charles Osondu, Chief Onuoha and his German wife and family and his son who played for Ibeku among others.
The high point of the occasion was the presentation of Awards and Gifts by Amb Ginika Tor-Williams, Chief Mrs. Mariam Onuoha, Chief Ema Ogbonna among others, to the highest Goal Scorer, Chibueze Oluo, from Ibeku Community, best Goal Keeper from Lagwa Community, Nonye Cletus, best Player, Okezie Njoku, etc.
