
Inter-Village Football Competitions End in Grand Style in Ibusa, Onicha-Olona and Other Enuani Communities
– Emeka Esogbue
The year 2023 saw a well-organized football competition in several Enuani communities of Delta State. For lovers of football at the grassroots level, it was not a disappointing year.
Champions of the Ibusa Football Tournament, Umueze Quarters, have displayed pictures showing their celebration of the 2023 victory.
Umueze, the largest Ibusa Quarters, defeated Ogbeowele, legendary and multiple winners of the championship in a surprise victory soaked in tension and also watched by the community’s traditional ruler, Obi Prof Louis Nwoboshi, and other important guests.
The match played in the community on Tuesday showed Umueze winning on penalty shootout. The last time Umueze lifted the tournament dominated by Ogbeowele and Umuekea was in 2007 when they defeated Anyallaobum. Former Bank Chief, Mr. Frank Atuche is a popular personality from Ibusa’s Umueze Quarters.
Elsewhere in Onicha-Olona, an Aniocha community, Ogbekenu defeated Umuolo 2 – 0 in the finals played inside the Iyi-Ogbe Primary School ground on Sunday.
FC Abuedo of Ubulu-Uku also won the Ubulu-Uku Football League for the third time consecutively. The team, according to Fortune Onwordi, this feat equalled the 20-year-old record of Agbonta. The match though ended goalless on the regular play, Abuedo would later defeat their opponents in a penalty shootout.
In Okpanam, the community of Utchi, Amachai Football Club also lifted the trophy in a similar tournament. The Ibusa neighbours have since been celebrating the champions in their homeland.