By Chinedum Ohanusi
The race for places in the Eze-Ezinwanne Ohamadike Cup is expected to gather more momentum today, at two designated venues in Igbo-ukwu, that’s the Holy Trinity field, and Youth Social Club Stadium.
The championship, better known as the Igbo-ukwu Premier League, kicked off on Christmas day, with no fewer than fourteen teams of Igbo-ukwu origin, from across the country, locked in the preliminary rounds, that would produce teams for the final phase of the tournament.
The opening day fixtures, produced a handful of upsets, as many of the older teams, found themselves on the receiving end.
At the Holy Trinity field, debutants, Chukene Football Club, who are flying the banner of the Awka Branch of Igbo-ukwu Development Union, shocked one of the oldest teams in the history of the competition, Aba Branch by 1-0; to earn a well-deserved victory in their first game.
Another debutant Nwaezefunaba Football Club also surprised Okwadike United Football Club, a team that is sponsored by one of the sons of a former Governor of Anambra State, late Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife (Okwadike Igboukwu) by 1-Nil.
In other games played on Day 1, Igbo-ukwu Development Union (IDU) Onitsha Branch defeated Port Harcourt Branch 2-0; while Gatuso FC, an Igbo-ukwu Community based Club defeated Osuofia Bebs FC by a lone goal.
The defending Champions, Lagos Branch, were comfortable 2-0 victors, over debutants, Asaba Branch; and at the Youth Social Club Stadium, Obiuno, Umudike United got thrashed 3-0 by another home-based team, Soccer Stars.
More games are on the cards for today, at the two venues, as Day 1 winners will try to consolidate on their bright starts; whilst those on the losing end of results, will try to make ammends for their disappointing starts.
The Star fixture of today, that’s Day 2, will be the game between Lagos Branch and perennial rivals Soccer Stars FC, which is scheduled to kickoff at the Youth Stadium, at 2pm. Umudike United and Asaba Branch will then take to the pitch in a must-win game for both teams, at the Holy Trinity Field, starting from 4pm.
Now in its 62nd edition, the Igbo-ukwu Premier League which was founded in 1959, prides its self as one of the earliest organised football leagues in Nigeria.
The Eze-Ezinwanne Ohamdadike Cup 2025, is powered by Nze Chucks Okoye; and the other participating teams are Umeadukoba Warriors FC, PELWIN Global FC, and Soccer Stars FC.
