The Indomitable Ake football club has won the maiden edition of the Pascal Football Tournament sponsored by a prominent Igbanke leader, Lawrence Pascal.
- At a tension soaked match played on Easter Sunday at Igbanke Grammar School football pitch, Ake Indomitable defeated Idumodin Football Club by 10-9 on penalties after both sides leveled 1-1 at 90 minutes regulated time.
The Idumodin side in the 25th minute of the first half leveled up after the Ake goal keeper failed to parry a goal-bound strike from the Idumodin boys.
On resumption, the two sides displayed excellent football in their quest to pull up a decider, but it never came as the 90 minutes encounter ended without a winner before it went into penalty shoot out without extra time.
Both Ake Indomitable6 and Idumodin boys equaled scores 5-5 of the first round of the penalty kicks.
In the keenly contested penalty shoot out, with both teams trying to outwit each other, the last strall that broke the camel’s back was the goal keepers turn. While the goalkeeper of Indomitable of Ake scored his penalty against Idumodin side, the goal tender for Idumodin could not find favour as his spot kick was saved by Ake’s keeper, with final result at 10-9 on penalties.
The penalty shoot brought the football tournament to a memorable end not only for the overall winner but also for the sponsor of the tournament, Law Pascal and the six Igbanke communities.
The tournament which involved six communities in Igbanke was watched by House of Representatives member, Hon. Billy Osawaru Adesuwa, Orhionmwon/Uhumwmonde Federal Constituency, Dr. Fidet Okhiria, Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation, who earlier on Easter Sunday commissioned a borehole provided by Lawrence Pascal for the people of Igbanke.
Others guests who also watch the match were Chief Monday Osagie, Mr. Fred Omorogbe, Managing Director, Event Centre, Canada based Smart Ugbekile, aka Tu Pac, Prince Barr. Henry Igbinoba among the rest.
The football fiesta was initiated and sponsored by a prominent son of Igbanke, Law Pascal for soccer teams in the communities, Ake, Idumodin, Oligie, Igbontor,, Ottah.
Speaking with journalists at the end of the competition, initiator and sponsor of the tournament, Mr. Lawrence a.k.a Pascal described football as a global unifying game that unites people and praised the communities for their unwavering support.
adding that the football fiesta is a catalyst for uniting the people of Igbanke.
“I am very happy to sponsor this football competition among youths of the six communities, which is aimed at deepening my relationship with everyone in Igbanke. Today, I am proud of what this tournament has achieved”, Law Pascal said.
The high point of the ceremony was the presentation of trophies, cash gifts, and medals to the competing teams and organisers of the tournament.
