By Nelson Dafe, Benin City on November 6, 2017

The second edition of Bet9ja football tournament for grassroots clubs in Nigeria reached the final stage after two very exciting semi final matches on Thursday evening in Benin City. 

In the first of the two semi final fixtures (both of which were played in the lush pitch of the University of Benin sports complex in Ugbowo) defending champions BJ Foundation were shocked by the University of Benin (UNIBEN) School team 1-0. 

It was a pulsating encounter, which flowed from end to end as UNIBEN were determined to not lose against the favourite BJ. 

BJ started on the front foot and thought they had scored early in the first half when Chinedu headed in a Michael Enaruna corner kick but the referee spotted an infringement and halted the already celebrating Chinedu. 

The first half continued to be a ding dong affair, but mid way into the second half, UNIBEN shot into the lead in a spectacular fashion. The 'students' returned the ball to BJ in sportsmanship fair play after one of their players went down injured and received treatment.  Valentine, one of BJ's central defenders dilly dallied with the ball, and an onrushing Onye in attack for UNIBEN closed him down and seized possession, feeding his strike partner Another Osahenkhoe who waltzed his way to the edge of the box and unleashed an unstoppable shot which Shangar Anthony in goal for BJ could do absolutely nothing about as the ball nestled in the top corner of the goal. 

The sheer power and composure of Osarenkhoe reminds one of Didier Drogba, the Chelsea and Ivory Coast legend. 

BJ fought desperately hard to draw level but they were thwarted by very resolute defending by the UNIBEN boys who found the physical resources to deal with the aerial threats of Junior Osaghae and Uche Epete in attack for BJ. 

Osarenkhoe's performance upfront was the talk of the sports complex as many marvelled at the movement, intelligence and tactical awareness of the almost 7 foot imposing engineering undergraduate. 

What was impressive of the youngster is that earlier in the day, he had played a leading role in helping his current club, Benin Warriors to an impressive 1-1 draw against newly promoted Nigerian professional division 1 side, Dynamite of Benin City at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin. 

His intelligent movement to pick up dangerous positions and hold up play was in full view at the stadium on Thursday morning as the Warriors stood to toe with Dynamite.  

If there were concerns about his stamina, they were answered in the evening as Osarenkhoe posted a 'man of the match performance against BJ to set up a final match against Ikorodu FC of Lagos who won 4-2 on penalty shootout against Ine Stars of Benin after regulation time ended 0-0.

The final match of the Bet9ja tournament comes up on Saturday 4 November at the UNIBEN sports complex. There’s prize money of N300, 000 for the winner of the competition. 

•Photo shows Benin Warriors attacker Another Osarenkhoe (right) with Daily Sports Correspondent Nelson Dafe, after the former scored a beautiful strike to send his University team to the final of bet9ja Cup.

Source Daily Sports

Posted November 6, 2017

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