Ogba Ijaiye FC wins 2022 Agege Elephant Cup tourney

By Kazeem Akande

(NAN) Ogba Ijaiye Football Club in Lagos State has won the 2022/23 Elephant Cup, a five-a-side grassroots soccer tournament defeating Mago FC, in the final match by three goals to one.

The match was held at the Ashade Ogba Palace playing ground in Agege Local Government area of the state.

Ogba Ijaiye FC, was one of the 12 teams, drawn on Oct. 18 to groups to kick start the five-a-side grassroots soccer tournament.

The FC emerged victorious in the final after emerging as best loser in the group matches.

Ogba Ijaiye FC was rewarded with cash prize of N500,000, while the second Mago FC, was rewarded with N300,000.

In his post-match remarks, Mr Felix Ajanaku, Chairman of the Elephant Cup, thanked God for the success of the league.

Ajanaku said that the football competition had been in existence for almost 22 years at the same venue, and keep improving on it every year.

“I appreciate and thank all the teams that participated in the league from the beginning, for their sportsmanship and fair play attitude during the matches.

“The game went well and the players show some level of maturity during the tournament.

“We also thanked the supporters and the spectators for their peaceful conduct and coexistence during and after the matches,” he said.

Mr Yinka Ogundimu, a Lawmaker Representing Agege Constituency 2, in his post match remarks applauded the organisers for the good job done for over 20 years of the grassroots competition.

"This is marvelous, the match is something we have been looking for every year as it is way of gathering youths and taking them away from social vices.

"The matches pull crowd and also engage the youth to showcase their football talents," he said.

The lawmaker also advised the youths to shun violence during and after the general elections adding that they should engage themselves in vocational skills for self reliance.

Mr Rotimi Odusola, the Representative of Guinness Nigeria one of the sponsors of the tournament said in his remarks that the grassroots competition was a fantastic match adding the organisation would not hesitate to do more in the coming year.

Odusola said the organisation was pleased to give support to the grassroots football competition and the host community.

"This is a fantastic competition we the Guinness Nigeria will be very pleased to give our support to the competition and the grassroots community.

"This is one of the things that beckon with us as an organisation, empowering and engaging the youths as we all know that football is a fantastic engagement opportunity.

"That's why we are encouraging the Elephant Club to continue this event and we will continue to give our support as we are doing today.

Mr Fabian Etuk, the Representative of COLMAT one of the sponsors said that he was highly impressed for the grassroots competition adding that his organisation would continue to support the grassroots game.

According to him, the final match showcase great talents among the youths as both sides actually give good account of themselves on the football pitch.

"We thank the organisers of the competition, the Elephant Club for this kind of great tourney in the grassroots, it is welcoming development and many youths are involved participating and showcasing their skills.

"Our organisation will not hesitate to support the grassroots competition in the next seasons because it positive and entertaining," he said.(NAN)