The 5th edition of the Igala Nations Cup kicks of Tuesday 10th August 2021 in 3 centres across the ancient Igala kingdom.At the Idah centre debutants Adusuf football Club of Akaka, Igalamela left it deep into the second half before overcoming a spirited B2K academy who have raced into an early lead in the 35 minutes of proceedings. Matthew Atokolo has put B2K ahead in the 35 minutes after a fine build up from the middle and were bold enough to hold on to the one goal lead onto the end of the first half.

On resumption of hostilities in the second half,Adusuf fc who are making their debut in the annual Soccer fiesta quickly rediscovered their rhythm and took the game straight to their opponent and in the 72 minutes,their effort paid off as Umar Yahaya took advantage of an opportunity that came his way to restore parity.Thereafter,Adusuf fc became alive once again as they continue to pile more pressure on B2K who are yet to recover from the equalizer.

Their consistent pressure and fine run of form in the dying minutes paid off 2 minutes to the end of regulation time when another prodigy Hayatudeen Ali latch on a loose ball to put the game beyond the reach of B2K academy to start brightly armed with the vital 3 points.

ANKPA AXIS

At the Ankpa axis,Ankpa United fc came from behind to ensure they start on a winning note against Okpo United fc who raced into an early lead after Apeh Amen at the Ankpa township stadium put them in the driving seat early in the 34 minutes.Ankpa United fc responded almost immediately and it paid of 2 minutes later when Kabiru Habib capitalized on a defensive loophole to power home the equalizing goal to the admiration of a handful of Ankpa fans.Both side thereafter couldn’t register their names on the scoresheet despite all entreaties and efforts.Scores remain like that till the and of the first half.

Upon resumption of the second half ,both side picked up from where they left off as they went For each other’s jugular but it was Ankpa United fc that was ferocious in front of goal as their consistency and constant drive towards goal paid off in the 78 minutes when Adams Jibrin scored from around the opponent’s 18 to give his side the winner, a vital 3 point and a perfect start to the 5th edition of the tournament.

DEKINA AXIS

At the CSS Agala Ate,one of the best playing pitch with natural grass in Igala land where All Stars fc of Anyigba and Bassa United engaged themselves in a fierce battle for the 3 maximum points,fans who thronged the venue didn’t leave empty handed as they were entertained and thrilled to classic football skills.

The match lived up to its earlier publicity as one of the star match of the opening round due to the solidity and depth of the two side.Both teams couldn’t break each others defense until the 89th minutes when it seems both side were going to share the spoils, Achimugu Favor broke the deadlock with a fine solo run that resulted in a goal to send the Anyigba soccer enthusiasts into a frenzy and wide jubilations.

Action continues in the 5th edition of the Igala nations cup in the 3 axis centres.

GODWIN WAMBEBE
DIRECTOR MEDIA
IGALA NATIONS CUP
10th August 2021

Unknown gunmen has killed a Saudi Arabia based oil expert, Ogacheko Atanu, in his Idah residence of Kogi State.

It was gathered that the incident happened on Saturday night at about 11PM when the deceased was about retiring to his bed.

It was also gathered that when the assassins stormed the compound of late Ogacheko Atanu, he was asked to say his last prayers before he was shot repeatedly.

His elder border, Mr Ukubile Atanu, who is a lecturer with the Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja, under Art and Design Department confirmed the incident during a telephone interview with our correspondent on Sunday.

Mr Ukubile Atanu, who could not hold his tears while speaking to our correspondence over the death of his younger brother charged security agencies to bring his brother killers to book.

According to him, “when they(gunmen) entered his compound at about 11PM on Saturday, they told his brother( late Ogacheko Atanu) to say his last prayers before they kill him. He told them that he will give them money, so that they can spare his life, but they refused. That was how he was shot repeatedly. They didn’t touch the gateman.

“After he was killed, his gateman went straight to police station to report the incident. I must tell you, this is another black day in our family. Those behind this evil act must be brought to book” the source said.

It was further learnt that the deceased who is survived by four children, including an eighty years old mother was billed to travel out of Idah today, (Sunday), for Abuja were he is expected to pick a flight to Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, the Kogi State Police Public Relation Officer, (PPRO) DSP William Avye Aya who confirmed the incident on to our correspondent said the command received a report about the assassination of the deceased at about 05:00 hours of Sunday.

” The security man of the deceased reported the incident to Idah Police division today at 05:00hours. Unknown masked men numbering about four entered the compound of the deceased through the fence.

“They told the security man to open the gate while the deceased was relaxing with his friend inside the compound. The gunmen told all of them to lie down. They later told the owner of the house to stand up and shot him. His body had been moved to the mortuary for autopsy and effort is being intensified to get the perpetuators of this evil act” he added.

End

Since the aim of having national youth teams comprising of U13, U15, U17 and U20 is to harness players that can gradually be integrated to main national team, the Super Eagles, the set of players currently at the camp of the country’s U17, the Golden Eaglets will surely make the target achievable.

One of the players that is making waves with exceptional performance and will surely make it big in football is Mustapha Benjamin.

Benjamin who operates from central midfield and can equally play anywhere in the defense has been turning heads with his man of the match displays since he teamed up with the Coach Fatai Amoo led Golden Eaglets.

Benjamin is a product of Kamar Football Academy in Idah, Kogi State.

He has been moulded to lead and achieve greatness anytime he’s given the chance to play football.

Benjamin captained the Idah team that won Kogi State U-13 championship in 2016 and also led the Kogi Team at the Channels Kids Cup in 2016 that won silver medal.

He was part of the Nigeria national U-15 that went to Morocco in 2017 and currently making the coaches proud at the Eaglets camp.

Benjamin’s match reading and control, according to reports from the camp has been wonderful. He was also reported to formed an integral part of Amoo’s team as he was able to deliver to satisfaction whenever he’s asked to operate from.

It is expected that if a player like Benjamin and his likes can be monitored and nurtured, he would grow to become one of the best midfielders Nigeria has ever produced.