By Femi Atolagbe
Aso Football Academy yesterday defeated Zion FC 3-0 in a penalty shootout to win the Ondo State Residents Football Tournament played at the state sports complex, Akure. After the regulation time ended in a 1-1.
While the NPFL All – Stars won third place after defeating Emalex FC of Owo with a lone second half goal.
The final match between Aso Football Academy and Zion FC was a show of raw talents as both sides displayed football artistry to the pleasure of the spectators at the sporting arena.
The first half of the entertaining encounter recorded no goal as both teams shielded their backlines with all intent in the first stanza.
Many scoring chances were rued by both sides in the first half, before Zions FC found the back of the net early in the second stanza , despite trailing by a goal, ASO Academy were not perturbed, rather they continue to press home for equaliser which later came from a free kick in the acute angle to take the match to penalty shootout after the regulation time ended in a draw.
Ondo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Bamidele Ologunloluwa in a chat with newsmen said the competition was organised to give opportunity to indigenous football players.
He added that tourney was organised by the ministry of Youth and Sports in collaboration with one of the football betting company for the purpose of exposing talents in the state.
He said: “it’s very good outing, we have achieved what we wanted to achieve our aim was to give them opportunity to display what they have in stock, I’m very sure the scouts have penciled down some names which will be sent to join Sunshine Stars trials.”
He said: “We are going to assess the discovered players more and don’t forget that we still have coaches that will do their job, as soon as the coaches certified them fit to play in Sunshine Stars they will be absorbed.” he said.
The Chairman of local organising Committee, Mr Henry Abiodun said there are no other ways to show respect to the indigenous players other than given them opportunity shoe themselves.
“We have seen them, we have been able to pick some good players from this competition, which I’m confident that one or two of them will join the Sunshine Stars after thorough assessment by the team’s coaches.”
Aso Football Academy’s Ibrahim Rahmani won best goalkeeper of the competition, while Tolu Oluwole also emerges as the competition top scorer and Oyewumi Oyeniyi of Zion FC wins Most Valuable player.
