By Nelson Dafe, Benin City on March 28, 2019

Grassroots clubs in Benin City are currently putting serious efforts in their training sessions and have been engaging in top class friendly games as they aim to be ready for the upcoming Bet9ja football tournament.

The 5th edition of competition is expected to kick off in April, and would attract a whopping 1million naira prize money for the cub that emerges champions.

Defending champions of the competition Rockers FC sent a warning signal to teams hoping to dethrone them by going away to wallop last year’s Edo FA Cup semi-finalists Rock Stars FC 4-1.

Rockers is team of richly-blended young players with amazing technical qualities and speed. They are coached by Chinedu Uba, a young man who is very well admired as a star amongst Edo youth coaches.

Ine Stars, former Edo FA cup winners (2015) welcomed and beat last year’s FA Cup debutants Alhaji FC 1-0.

BJ Foundation, the heavyweight grassroots clubs in Benin City have been shaping up as well with impressive results recorded in their recent friendly matches. BJ Foundation FC were runners up of the last edition of the Bet9ja competition last year.

The coach Douglas Idahosa boys whipped Rollys FC 5-1 in their Arinze Primary School home ground in a recent friendly game that see Watford and Nigerian international striker Isaac Success featuring for about 75 minutes.

Success is a product of BJ Foundation and he used the recent international break to get some playing time in order to be in top shape as his club take on Manchester United in the Premier League this weekend.

Benin Warriors FC, 2016 Edo State League champions went away and saw off Crown FC 2-1 in an exciting friendly game played at the Western Boys High School pitch in Ikpoba Hill, Benin City, last week. The Warriors raced into a two goal lead in the early minutes of the game to stun their illustrious hosts who were Edo FA Cup quarter finalists in 2015.

Crown fought back to score in the early minutes of the second half but the young Warriors held on for the win.

Bet9ja Super Agent Roland Inonoje has continued to receive praises for the fine work he’s doing in enlivening grassroots football in Edo State.

There is a dearth of top class competitions in the state today as teams usually had no meaningful top class tournament to look towards after the state’s FA Cup. Now the arrival of the annual Bet9ja competition is helping to address things.

The Edo State League has lost its lustre amongst a number of clubs because of the exorbitant costs of enrollment and overall participation that sees almost no direct return on investments for participating clubs.

The Bet9ja competition has seemingly come as a rescue for clubs eager to keep their players occupied, with a view to developing them with prestigious competitions, as well as keeping their eyes on the many top prizes available in the competition.

•Photo shows Edo Bet9ja defending champions Rockers Academy FC

Source Daily Sports

Posted March 28, 2019

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