By Daily Sports on September 19, 2019

It was thrills and frills at the Arinze Primary School field in Benin City as two Under-14 teams put on a fascinating exhibition of skills, pace and strength in the final match of the Egedege N’Okaro football competition in front of an appreciative audience.

One of Benin City’s best known boyhood football clubs Dynamo FC slugged it out with another solid youth sure Golden Stallion FC on Tuesday (September 21) afternoon as cup donor and top Edo state political figure Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and other special guests watched on.

After a pulsating afternoon of football in the rain which did little to stop both sides from entertaining, there was no winner in regulation time but in the ensuing penalty shootout, Dynamo held their nerves and scored all 5 kicks to win by 5-3.

Golden Stallion, coached by Coach Osaro, had some early chances as they searched for a goal through their brilliant attacking duo of Blessing and Destiny but when they were not thwarted by some brilliant defending and goalkeeping from Dynamo, the crossbar came to the rescue of their opponents.

Dynamo shaded possession overall and had some decent chances of their own.

The about three weeks long competition was largely a brainchild of the founder of Dynamo FC Austin Ogieriakhi. Ogieriakhi is rising in status as a talent builder having nurtured several young players, some of whom are now making inroads into professional football but in Nigeria and abroad.

Pastor Ize-Iyamu presented a cash prize of 40,000 naira to winners Dynamo while second placed Golden Stallion got 30,000 naira. Third placed and 4th placed teams got 20,000 naira and N10,000 each.

The Egedege N’Okaro competition Most Valuable Player award went to Dynamo’s captain and midfielder Osagumwenro Obasohan while Dynamo’s attacker Ogbemudia Kantin won the Golden Boot award for highest scorer of the competition.

Pastor Ize Iyamu, accompanied to the game by dignitaries including Deacon Ricky Aburime, Bar. Dan Osa Ogbegie and Hon. Sunny Ogbeiwe, pledged to keep supporting the competition and urged the starry-eyed young players to believe in their dreams of becoming great stars of tomorrow.

Victorious coach Ogierhiakhi expressed joy at seeing his wards win another prestigious trophy. “I’m very happy. The boys have made me proud again. I’m happy for them as well,” he said.

Egedege N’Okaro is the first storey building in Benin Kingdom and in the whole of the Mid-Western Region, Nigeria which is the present day Edo and Delta States. It was built in 1906 by Late Chief Iyamu, the Inneh of Benin Kingdom, late Chief Iyamu is the great grandfather of Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

The building still stands firmly and majestically as House Number 30, Erie Street, off Sakponba Road, Benin City.

•PHOTO: Dynamo and coach Ogieriakhi with the gold medals they won in the final of the Egedede N’Okaro football competition at Arinze primary school in Benin City

Source Daily Sports

Posted September 19, 2019

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