By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
Anambra Traders Sports Competition in the football event has entered the final stage as Nkwo Market, Umunze on Sunday defeated Ajasa Market, Onitsha 6-3 in one of the semi finals played at the Chuba lkpeazu Stadium, Onitsha.
The match ended 2-2 draw at regulation time and they went straight into penalties. The Umunze-side netted 4 and Ajasa-side was only able to score one.
Both teams have earlier met in the Group B stage where they played 1-1 draw qualifying to represent the group in the semi finals bouts. The Ajasa-side was very unlucky to become the loser later, and the Umunze-side with more adventurous players scaling through to finals of the event.
In the second match, Iron Dealers Market, Atani defeated New Motor Parts, Nnewi 2-1 in the second game played at the Godwin Achebe Stadium, Onitsha to square up against Nkwo Market, Umunze in the finals.
The final is slated for Awka Township Stadium and is expected to be witnessed by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
It was however not an easy match for the Nkwo Market, Umunze against Ajasa Market, Onitsha in a highly entertaining and keenly contested encounter to reach the final stage.
It was a game the Ibeabuchi Okeke tutored Nkwo Market, Umunze team will live to remember for years as Ajasa Market, Onitsha team really gave them a tough game till regulation time before the penalty decider.
Nnadozie Onyejekwe in sole effort opened scoring for Umunze-side in the 11th minute to the admiration of the fans.
Chukwu Nwankwo equalized for his side in 33rd minute via penalty spot kick, David Uchechukwu gave Ajasa Market, Onitsha team the lead with the second goal in the 42rd minute before the interval.
The Umunze team came back smoky on resumption looking for an equalizer which paid off in the 84th minute by Chizelum Ezeora, and several efforts by Ajasa Market, Onitsha to increase the tally once again did not pay off before regulation time.
Elated Okeke, Coach of the Nkwo Market, Umunze said his side was already looking forward to facing the opponent, the Iron Dealers in the finals.
“We are going back home to make corrections for the final match in Awka. My players are all enthusiastic for the D-Day on November 26, 2023 finals,” he said.
Marcel Nwachukwu, Sports Officer, Onitsha Zone commended both finalists, particularly the Umunze and Ajasa players’ performance in the semi final match.
“Nkwo Market, Umunze players were thoroughly exhausted before securing victory against Ajasa Market players. It was not an easy game for the two teams.
“I am happy for the show of sportsmanship spirit so far by all the teams in the competition. I am looking forward to good soccer artistry in the finals”, he said.
Winners will get N3 million, N2 million and N1 million for first, second and place finish.
The Anambra Traders Sports Competition started on October 18, 2023 with five events including Football, Lawn Tennis, Table Tennis, Draught and Ncho.
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