By Goodness Ndukuba on June 12, 2023

The Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha, Anambra state has renewed vigour for its soccer prowess with the on-going reinvented school sports competition after 10 in the state.

It would be recalled that CKC, Onitsha won the world schools cup in Dublin, Ireland back in 1977.

Thus Nigeria won her first ever world cup in 1977, but the country is yet to give these breakthrough CKC boys there deserving due.

The new set of the school boys participating in the revived Anambra state school sports by Gov. Chukwuma Soludo have shown the determination to bounce back in the round leather game again.

The school's u-13 and u-17 boys have qualified from the zonal eliminations played at the Chuba Ikpeazu Stadium, Onitsha to represent Anambra North senatorial zone in the state final scheduled for June 24 and June 25.

The scintillating soccer wizardly of the school in both categories were beauties to behold, particularly in the u-17 boys category against Washington Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha which ended goalless at regulation time.

However, Washington, who reached the finals on controversial circumstances, earned their passage to the state finals following a controversial win against C.K.C on penalties after a goalless draw at regulation time.

‘Miscalculation’ by the referee during the ‘sudden death’ of the penalty kicks handed the Washington boys victory to represent the zone alongside C.K.C at the state finals.

The ‘human error’ by the arbiter did not remove the shine and quality from the thrilling contest with C.K.C appearing comfortable with the opportunity to mount the big stage of the state final to hunt for the ticket to reach the national stage and perhaps.

This opportunity will boost forwards replicating the 1977 feat in Dublin when ‘Quick Silver’ Sylvanus Okpalla led the School to conquer the rest of the World in the World Academicals Cup.

The CKC u-13 boys also walloped Community Primary School, Okpoko 7-0.

Despite the huge and embarrassing defeat, Community Primary School, Okpoko, as runners-up in that category, will also be at the state finals as the zone’s second representatives.

In the Girls U-17 category, Urban Girls Secondary School, Onitsha defeated Bethlehem Girls College, Fegge 1-0, in the zonal finals, with both schools flying the zone’s flag at the state level.

The CKC games master, Francis Okwudili Ejiofor, who was full of joy for to the school's returning to soccer reckoning, commended the principal for the encouragement and support. 

He also commended the boys for showing the resilient that the "bones shall rise again", adding that they train thrice a week and still compete favourable in academic pursuit with other students of the school.

"We are doing everything possible with the help of our principal to reclaim that position, we train Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday to ensure we achieve the goal.

"Anambra state, especially the present governor is doing a wonderful job in sports. 

"One thing I like about this ongoing completion is that they started from the grassroot for the talent hunt.

"We want to lift every soccer trophy in Anambra, we want to be the best to retain our number one position in sports in the state," Ejiofor affirmed. 

The presence of football scouts who were on ground to search for talents add colour to the competition at the venue.

One of them on ground was ‘Jamo’ reputed in fishing out raw talents for national teams.

‘Jamo’ played a crucial role in the scouting of the U17 Golden Eaglets players that Emmanuel Amunike nurtured to win the 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup in Chile.

“I’ve seen quite a number of potential and hugely talented players in the tournament since I arrived here Friday.

“It’s good that such ‘catch them young’ program is going on and I must give kudos to the Chairman of the Anambra State Sports Development Commission for coming up with this program and giving the opportunity to come around and see the athletes for ourselves”, Jamo said.

Source Daily Sports Nigeria

Posted June 12, 2023

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