* As Edo FA gets a mini- Bus from Federal Lawmaker
The 2nd Edition of the oba of Benin Football tournament organised by the Edo state Football Association may have come and gone, the memories will linger for a long time to come.
The closing event of the tournament in honour of the Benin Monarch, was well attended by stakeholders of the game, Ex- internationals, top football coaches and the wife of the cup donor and sponsor Mrs Vera Ogbebor who stood in For her husband, Michael Ogbebor, a USA based Ex Footballer.
The closing ceremony of the tournament, started with the third place final clash between Rockers Fc of Egor local Government Area and Oredo Local Government Area Giant BJ Fc by 1pm, the encounter which ended Goaless at regulation time was decided via Kicks from the penalty mark as BJ Fc ran away 4-2 to win the bronze.
In the final match, Delight Fc came from a goal down to beat Irex Sports Fc 2-1 in a dramatic fashion as the coach Joseph Wilson Led Delight Fc scored twice in 4minutes of added time( 90+4) to lift the 2nd edition of Oba of Benin under 18 Football tournament 2024.
At the end of the final match, there were some individual awards given out as the fair play team of the tournament went to BJ Fc, the best Goalkeeper award went to Adebayo Ovie of BJ Fc, Joseph Wilson of Delight Fc was voted the Best coach of the tournament, Cletus Martins of Delight Fc got the Top scorer award with Five Goals while Pelumi Oderinde of Delight Fc went home with the MVP award.
Some distinguished personalities were recognised during the final by Edo FA, they include house of representative member from oredo Federal constituency Hon Engr Esosa Iyawe who was present at the event, The Edo state sports Commission chairman, Hon Desmond Enabulele who was represented by his Principal Private Secretary Tony Uwhens, Former Super Eagles defender Isaac Semitoje, wife of the Cup donor and sponsor of the tournament, Mr and Mrs Michael Ogbebor.
Winner of the tournament, Delight Fc got N1.5 Million naira, while the runner up Irex Sports Fc went home with N750.000.00, naira and third place winner BJ Fc were rewarded for their efforts with N500.000.00.
Speaking at the end of the colourful ceremony, special guest at the occasion Hon Engr Esosa Iyawe said he is grateful to Edo FA for the recorgnition, and also commended the cup donor and sponsor for identifying with grassroots football, adding that the event will help unearth talents in the state, he promised to work with the Edo FA to develop the game, the respected Lawmaker of the ruling All Progressive Congress ( Oredo Federal constituency) went on to Present a mini Bus to the Edo state Football Association for the day to day running of the FA secretariat.
The week long soccer event to celebrate with His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare 11, the Oba of Benin the annual igue Festival was proudly sponsored by a US based ex footballer Michael ogbebor( Obanta)
