By Daily Sports on July 27, 2017

The biggest grassroots soccer competition in terms of prestige at the states level is the ‘State League’ played in all states of the Nigerian federation. It’s a competition that attracts the finest of young players and grassroots clubs desirous of making a name for themselves.

In Edo State the league has been on for the past two weeks as the first round of group games wound up last weekend. There has been a number of very good individual and team performances so far as the league has lived up to its promise of throwing up some new talents.

The competition this year, unlike in past years when all the action were concentrated at the main sporting arena of the state, the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, was divided into four groups with two groups (B and D) playing their games at the Ogbemudia Stadium while Emotan Girls secondary school pitch near the city center played host to Group C games.

Edo north teams were drafted to play their group A games in the Edo North town of Ekpoma.

Winners of the competition two years ago, Ine Stars of Benin survived a big fight from newcomers Rock stars FC to top group B. In a four-team group, Ine recorded a handsome 6-0 win over Air Maritime FC with midfielder Izu hitting a hat trick. In that following game against Rockstars it was a tense affair as the game ended 2-2. Ine dominated the first half but tired out in the second as Rockstars came from behind twice to earn a point.

Ine then pipped hard fighting Benin Celtic 1-0 to top the group on goal difference against Rockstars who had earlier beaten Benin Celtic 3-2 in their first group match and then earned a 3-1 win against Air Maritime in their last game when they actually needed to better the 6-0 win that Ine had got against the Air Maritimers.

Graceland had a smooth ride at the Ekpoma centre, garnering 10 points by winning 3 and drawing one game.

In Group C Royal Force FC displayed strong midfield powers with Kelechi Harrison the top player pinging passes beautifully to help his club top the group against hard fighting Benin Vipers. At a point it looked like Benin Vipers would top the group having held off Royal Force to a scoreless draw and just needed a win against Ojolojolo FC.

It was double drama however as Royal Force immediately sent a protest to the Edo FA letter after their last game against Benin Vipers arguing that the latter had used their goalkeeper without proper clearance. As the FA was considering the matter, Vipers were being held to a scoreless draw by Ojolojolo. In the end, beating Ojolojolo would not have helped them after the FA ruled in favor of Royal Force concerning the protest.

The FA awarded 3 points to and three goals to Royal Force while deducting same from Benin Vipers.

In Group C Pearlmag blazed the trail by winning three of their four games and drew one. They topped the group that had last year's third placed team in the leave, Chinamoon FC and Yak FC coached by ex-Golden Eaglets goalkeeper Emmanuel Okhenebo.

The league moves now into its final rounds of round robin games starting this coming weekend. The four top teams will face off against each other with the last match between Ine Stars and Royal Force FC coming up on August 6.

Defending champions Benin Warriors FC will grace the final day of the competition with a match against a very good side Okhomu United FC just before the final game.

Source Daily Sports

Posted July 27, 2017

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