Both teams tried to outwit themselves while trying to take their chances during the game.

Bare City had the better of the early incursions as they dominated play in the opening 20 minutes missing several scoring chances. They were eventually punished for their profligacy.

Striker Doslam Dawi was star man of the game as his goalscoring skills was a delight to close to 3000 fans that watched the epic final.

Balanga United in the second half, dominated play and deservedly scored through Dawi’s brace.

The end result saw the Balanga United team winning the match 2-0, then claiming the trophy of the 5th edition of the Adamu Yola Cup.

Meanwhile, in the third place, All Stars walloped Balanga LGA 7-0.

For winning the tournament, Balanga United were rewarded with the sum of Four hundred and fifty thousand naira (N450,000). Second placed team Bare City got Three hundred thousand naira (N300,000), while third placed All Stars received One hundred and fifty thousand naira (N150,000).

Bute, Dawi sweep Adamu Yola Cup individual awards

The duo of All Stars and Balanga United strikers, Michael Bute and Boslam Dawi bagged individual awards at the 5th edition of the Adamu Yola Cup held in Gombe South.

Bare City lost the final of the Adamu Yola Cup 2-0 to Balanga United at Billiri Township Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

Bute and Dawi swept the players’ award in different categories after their impressive performances at the just concluded event.

Michael Bute who played a vital role for his team scored four goals and created two assists. That performance won the tourney’s top scorer gong.

Boslam Dawi’s superb form upfront for Balanga United played a major part for his team’s quest to winning the 65-team grassroots competition.

The striker was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament ahead of Bute and Bare City’s Jacob John.

While declaring the event open at Mawato Hotel, Katungo on Thursday, Mallam Soye expressed his joy with the innovation.

Soye said it has been long that an event of this magnitude took place in Gombe state.

In his words, “This is the first Capacity training within the state in the modern era as the last time something like this took place was in 1986.”

On the coaches’ side, he clarified some of the mentalities that destroys the beauty of the game.

First is the home advantage syndrome. In his words, the Chairman said there is no such thing as home advantage from the Referee.

“The only advantage you have at home is the Pitch, the fans and the weather,” he explained.

“Coaches, should guide their wards against such mentality as this will lead to players and fans challenging the referee’s decision. Discipline is the keyword in football.”

The Commission Chairman thanked organizers of the educative program.

He rounded up by imploring Referees and Coaches present at the capacity building program to maximize the opportunity that this workshop will afford them so as to better their understanding in their respective fields.

Members of the LOC were welcomed by the commandant. The secretary introduced the LOC.

The LOC chairman, Promise Uwaeme explained to the commandant that the competition which is sponsored by Yakubu Adamu Yola is aimed at promoting peace and unity, discovering and promoting of young talents in football as well as to pay loyalty to the security outfit for their unflinching support towards making the competition to where it is now and as well solicit for more support towards the present and subsequent editions of the competition.

In his response, the Area Commandant, AC Naboki, applauded the efforts of the sponsor to have such a positive thought uniting the youths with the Southern Gombe which comprises of Balanga, Billiri, Kaltungo and Shongom LGA).

The commandant added by sighting examples of the ethnic clashes that occurred years back and added that had it been people had used this same model adopted by Yakubu Adamu Yola, there wouldn’t be place for inter ethnic nor inter communal clashes.

Commandant further insisted that Yakubu Adamu Yola should constitute a prominent personnel to pay a courtesy visit to all the traditional rulers of all the aforementioned local government areas and if possible extend an invitation for them to grace the final as it will go a long way to stamp the vision and mission of the competition.

The same team went to visit the commandant Nigerian civil, security defense corp and divisional police officer.

Maxwell Akongo and CSP Audu Ibrahim expressed 100% support to the football competition.

All Stars reached the last four with a lone goal victory over Liverpool of Bambam.

Balanga United won 4-3 on penalties against Awai United after playing 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes.

Bare City and Pero Boys failed to find the cutting edge as they played out 0-0 in their Quarter-Final fixture. Goalkeeper Zakka Akawu was the hero as he saved three kicks in the penalty shootouts. It ended 3-1.

Meanwhile, Balanga LGA fought from a goal down to edge Panwa 2-1.

A brace from Agabus Anawuna cancelled out Saidu Yusuf’s strike.

Winners from the two semi-final games will lock horns in the finals on 30th December 2020.

Semi-Final Pairings

All Stars Vs Balanga United

Bare City Vs Balanga LGA

Organizing Committee stated that Panwa will now replace Dinge Flying Bees for the Quarter-Final against Balanga LGA.

“Further to the regulatory protest of Panwa, the Adamu Yola Cup Organising Committee has confirmed that Salatiel Saleh was not eligible to participate for Dinge Flying Bees in the win over Panwa on December 21st 2020, since the player had not been registered in a regulatory manner, in accordance with Article 18 of the Regulations governing the competition.

“Player Salatiel Saleh was ineligible to play with his team prior to the second round of the competition, as stipulated by the Regulations of the tournament.

“Therefore and in accordance with Article 24 of the Regulations governing the competition, the Organising Committee confirms the elimination of Dinge Flying Bees from the 5th Edition of the Adamu Yola Cup, for having used an ineligible player in the aforementioned competition.

“Accordingly, Panwa, which had been eliminated by Dinge Flying Bees in the second round, is called upon to replace them in the Quarter-Final of the said competition,” the statement reads.

A 24th minute strike from Sani Ali Bage was enough as All Stars secured their semi-final berth in a nail biting quarter final game against Liverpool.

The second match of the afternoon was entertaining, as it was an end to end affair between Balanga United and Awai United.

Both sides matched each other man for man as they entertained the fans at the Billiri Township Stadium.

With the first half ending without a goal, the second half burst into life in rather bizarre manner as Balanga United scored the first goal in the 77th minute through Aliyu Garba off a well crafted cross from Abubakar Manu.

A minute later, Awai United responded instantly with some fancy footwork from Titus Adamu as he beat three players before setting up Sadiq Yakubu who gracefully fired a left footed rocket to send the Awai fans to frenzy.

Both sides were unable to net the decisive winner as the referee signaled for the final whistle. The game headed into penalty shout out.

Awai United missed two spotkicks as Balanga United scored four to qualify 4-3.

All Stars were ruthless as they dominated the Lashadar side at the Billiri Township Stadium.

Michael Bute was already a brace hero after 26 minutes, as he converted the two chances that came his way.

Abishua Abiu reduced the deficit to give Lashadar hope of a comeback in the 35th minute.

That was extinguished by Friday Felix with 10 minutes left on the clock.

In another interesting match played on Thursday, Liverpool humbled Aston Villa 3-0.

Yunusa Yakubu drew the first blood with a low shot in the fifth minute.

Yakubu increased the lead eight minutes after the hour mark for his brace.

Yaro Hassan capitalized on the goalkeeper’s error to put the game beyond Aston Villa.

The qualification rounds started on Monday 30th November 2020 in all four Local Government Areas of Gombe South, namely Balanga, Billiri, Kaltungo and Shongom.

Defending champions All Stars are joined by Aston Villa, Liverpool, Pakolin, Awai United, Bare City, God Wonder, Dinge Flying Bees, Panwa United, Lashadar United, Balanga, Talase United, Tangland United, Pero Boys, Kilang United and Balanga in the round of 16.

Chairman, Organising Committee, Promise Uwaeme disclosed to newsmen on Monday that matches will be played at Billiri Township Stadium and Obasanjo Stadium.

“We want to improve on Adamu Yola Cup every year. Matches will be played at Billiri Township Stadium and Obasanjo Stadium,” Promise Uwaeme said.

According to him, the football championship is to enable players, who are talented in football horn their skills at the grassroots level.

He stated that the championship would also be a mentorship programme to put Nigerian footballers on the right path.

Round of 16 Fixtures:
Aston Villa Vs Liverpool FC
Pakolin Vs Awai United
Bare City Vs God Wonder
Dinge Flying Bees Vs Panwa United
Lashadar United Vs All Stars
Balanga Vs Talase United
Tangland United Vs Pero Boys
Kilang United Vs Balanga

Sport Vote is a community enhancing platform where players have individual profile and build a portfolio of stats, which are stored in the online global database for scouts.

Teams get a website to upload videos, add team news and display competition history. The organizers can create and host many competition types, display supporter’s logos, and link with other Social sites. Fans can get involved and vote on the best player for each game. It is a one stop shop for sport organizers.

The prestigious tournament is arguably the biggest competition in the North East at the moment with regards to the number of teams involved and level of branding already committed to a single tournament.

Speaking to newsmen, the chairman of the Organizing Committee Mr. Promise Uwaeme disclosed that the donor is committed to giving the young talented footballers in the zones all the necessary platform and support the need to attain greatness through football.

“We are pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement with Sport Vote as partners, they have platform, experience, technical know-how and most importantly, the willingness and they are very excited to come on board.”

Reacting to the development, the Chief Executive Officer/Head of Marketing Mr. Robert Hegarty confirmed the news and reaffirms Sport Vote commitment to the project.

“We are very excited to be part of this tournament and I can assure you that Sport Vote is coming with everything we have got to give the players and teams a platform that will show them to the whole world” he stated.

The Chief Operating Officer/Head of Operations Mr. Robert Gunn also confirmed that work has started at the backend to that all will be ready before the finals kicks off on the 17th of December.

“I can confirm that we have commenced work and we are very optimistic that all will be ready before the knockout starts on the 17th of December”.

“We are super excited that Mr. Promise has agreed to give this great opportunity to the players and teams that have qualified for the finals and we can assure everyone that this is indeed a right step in the right direction,” Gunn mused.

The grassroots football tournament, which is taking place in four local government areas in Gombe South, will end on December 29.

It has 65 teams drawn from Balanga, Billiri, Kaltungo and Shongom LGA teams competing for honours in the championship.

Speaking on the championship, Head of Technical/Local Organising Committee, Promise Uwaeme said the tournament is being used to expose the youths and also give them the platform to exhibit their skills.

“The Adamu Yola Cup has come to stay. Over the past editions, talents discovered in the tournament have taken their skills to better places.

“Our vision is to help youths be more focused in their career and imbibe good character as they grow. We used strict measures to register the clubs participating in the tournament to avoid any anomalies.”

He added, “We are determined to instill discipline and good conduct to the clubs.”

The donor, Pastor Yakubu Adamu Yola and Engr Sule performed the draws.

Also at the draws were Mr. Julius Ishaya Lepes – Gombe State Honourable Commissioner of Youth and Sports and Mr. Yakubu Salma – Gombe State FA Chairman.

The Full Draws

BALANGA LGA

GROUP A
G. UNITED BAMBAM
GELENGU UNITED FC
SWA UNITED FC
BALANGA WONDERERS FC
LIVERPOOL FC

GROUP B
DYNAMIC FC
TALASE UNITED FC
GURMA UNITED FC
TALASE LIONS FC

GROUP C
BARCELONA BAMBAM
GREATER TOMORROW FC
BALANGA UNITED
TIKSIR UNITED CHAM
ECWA GOODNEWS FC

GROUP D
BALANGA LGA
DALKU FC
YOUNG AMATURE FC
DEGRI ALL STARS PUTOKI
HOT LEARNERS BAMBAM

BILLIRI LGA

GROUP A
KALMAI CITY FC
PAKOLIN UNITED FC
POKWARA UNITED FC
FC TODI WARRIORS

GROUP B
SHEMBE UNITED FC
KOMTA CITY FC
BARE CITY FC
SPORTLIGHT KALKULUM

GROUP C
K. UNITED FC
AWAI UNITED FC
MAIYAMBA FC
SANSANI UNITED FC

GROUP D
POSHIYA UNITED FC
FC DORTMOND TODI
TANGLANG UNITED FC
KOMTA UNITED FC

KALTUNGO LGA

GROUP A
ALL STARS FC (def cham)
FLAMINGO FC
BARCELONA KALTUNGO
ALL STARS WARRIORS

GROUP B
AMDO UNITED FC
SAMBA BOYS FC
POKAR UNITED FC
GOD WONDER ACADEMY

GROUP C
RISING STARS KALARIN
KALTUNGO BOYS FC
ASTON VILLA FC
KAMPANDI UNITED FC

GROUP D
OSKA FC
POKWANGLI UNITED FC
ROYAL WONDER BOYS FC
DINGE FLYING BEES

GROUP E
SUPER PILLARS FC
KILANG UNITED
AWAK BOYS FC
FC ELDERS KALTUNGO

SHONGOM LGA

GROUP A
KULISHIN UNITED FC
LALAIPIDO UNITED FC
PERO BOYS FC

GROUP B
PANWA UNITED FC
KUSHI PILLARS FC
TEDMUKJU UNITED FC

GROUP C
LAKENTURUM UNITED FC
LASHADAR UNITED FC
KALBULAK UNITED FC
ALFAYO UNITED FC