Arsenal Kiddies lift Dr. Ogbolu U-12 Kids Cup

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This year’s edition of Dr. Chukwudi Ogbolu U-12 Kids Cup came to a glorious end at the A’ Division Police Barracks Football field, Ilorin, nowith Arsenal Kiddies winning the competition.

The final game of the week-long soccer fiesta was a repeat of last year’s epic final, termed ‘Operation fire for fire’ by soccer pundits, with the match attracting capacity crowd, and living up to its billings.

Defending champions, Kwara United La Liga boys came out firing from all cylinders, while Arsenal Kiddies, which obviously came with a calculated game plan to defend massively, pushes their opponents back with occasional counter attacks. 

It was a caggy affair as the two teams know each other very well. Kwara United boys attack was relentless and Arsenal Kiddies have their goalkeeper, Tubiyo Onako to thank for top notch performances and brilliant saves. 

The first half ended goalless, and the two teams came out with full force in the second half in order to break the deadlock. With the partisan home crowd cheering Arsenal Kiddies, against the run of play, Master Joseph Abarah intercepted a loose ball in the deep zone and sent a penetrating pass into the box with on rushing Akeem sulyman releasing a ferocious shot that deflected into Kwara United’s net for the first and only goal of the match.

Kwara United La Liga boys tried very hard to restore parity, but was unable, as Arsenal Kiddies ran away with the 1-0 victory to claim the bragging rights.

The sponsor of the tournament,  Dr. Chukwudi Ogbolu, a USA-based Medical Practitioner and Philanthropist in his closing remarks via zoom, praised the efforts of the coaches, parents, teachers, match officials, sports writers and indeed all stakeholders, for keeping the flag flying. 

He promised to continue to sponsor the tournament, while also calling on everyone to invest in the Nigerian kids because they are the future of the nation. 

The elated Chairman of the ocassion, Alhaji Yahaya Usman, who is the Proprietor of Focal Point International Schools also promised to support the educational career of the best legs picked from the tournament.

The organizer of the tournament, Coach Soni Ahamioje, said that eight boys from the first edition of the competition were among the Kwara YSFON team that won silver medal at the just concluded Chief of Naval Staff National U-14 Cup in Abuja. 

According Coach Soni, ‘in this year’s edition, we have picked 12 talented kids that will be invited for screening to join the Kwara United La Liga boys. 

Prizes were given to the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament,  Highest Goal Scorer, Most Valuable Player, Best Coach, as well as Fair Play award, given to the Best Behaved Team. 

Cash awards were also given to the four best teams of the tournament.

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