By Taofeek Lawal
Football fans were on Tuesday morning thrilled when the Anambra U-13 football team squared up against their Niger counterparts at the ongoing 7th National School Sports Festival.
The exciting encounter which took place at the at the Jesus College football pitch, Otukpo, Benue ended with 1-1 draw with both goals scored in the first half.
A goal scored by Johnson Henry of Anambra in the 18th minute sent fans including Jude Nwafor, the Permanent Secretary in the Anambra Ministry of Sports into wild celebration as students danced around the pitch with drums. The Niger side replied towards the end of the first with a goal off the legs of Ahmed Musa. Coaches of both sides expressed satisfaction with the referee but hoped to come out better in their next games.
Basil Ilogu, coach of the Anambra side said his boys played according to instruction, adding that with their performance in the first match, he was optimistic they would reach the finals of the football event. In other encounters, Kaduna U-13 team won their Kwara opponents by 1-0 while Ebonyi defeated the hosts, Benue who were three man less by 2-1 to record their first win.
The shortfall in the Benue side was because other players were screened out for being over age. Competitions are in earnest in other 20 events in 11 venues across Otukpo council area.
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