Video: Rising Star FC wins maiden Onolememen Annual Football Cup

Rising Star Footbal Club of Ekpoma has emerged champion of the maiden Onolememen Annual Football Cup competition.

The ‘Ekpoma boys’ defeated Kings FC of Irrua 5:3 on penalties, Saturday 17th April, 2021 to lift the Hon. Michael Onolememen sponsored football competition held at the Uromi Public Field, Edo Central senatorial district.

This blog reports that penalty shootouts were played to decide the winner after fulltime ended in a 1:1 draw.

Both teams came out with determination in the opening minutes of the game looking to seize opportunities.

Omijie Isaac of Kings FC Irrua scored the opening goal in the 17th minute to put his side ahead of the game.

Rising Star Football Club of Ekpoma drew level in the second-half of the game with a goal from Abiodun Durojaiye two minutes to the end of the game to get an equaliser.

Afsa Football Club of Ekpoma spanked Holy Trinity FC of Uromi 2:0 to win the third-place price. Omijie Isaac of Kings FC, Irrua was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

The Coordinator of the competition, Mr Freedom Agbi told this blog that the tournament was designed with the aim of discovering grassroot talants who will later represent Edo State and Nigeria at large at future soccer tournaments.

The sponsor of the tournament and former Minister of Works, Hon. (Dr.) Michael Onolememen told journalists in an interview that the purpose of the competition is to encourage the youths to realise their potentials and bring out the best in them.

“I am very happy to be here today as a bundle of talents has been discovered. We cannot allow our youths to rot away. Our youths will continue to dream and what you dream is what you live for.

“The future belong to those who are talented. That is the reason we are encouraging them in whatever they can do not just soccer alone but in every other endeavours of life. We will do whatever we can to encourage them.”