On Sunday, the final and third place match of the 6th edition of the Stephen Keshi National Under 17 Football Tournament held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin with the big names in Nigerian football not in attendance.
Popular News brings you the reaction of some of the organisers and also a Norway based football scout who witnessed the epoch event.
Excerpts:
Kelvin Etemike – Chairman of the Local Organising Committee(LOC) said: “It’s a honour to be here (Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin) for the finals. We have been seeing some improvements compared to what was obtainable in the past.”
On they(the organisers) have been sustaining the tournament in the absence of support – “What we have been doing to sustain the tournament is individual contributions no corporate sponsorship from anywhere. We have written to the NFF(Nigeria Football Federation) trying to get their approval but there has been no response from them. Last two years we had a little contribution from the Edo State Government. Also when we held the tournament in Delta State the state government took care of everything.
“What has kept us going not minding the financial set back is the spirit of Stephen Keshi, a legend in Nigeria. What has been giving us the strength is because there’s a passion that the ‘big boss’ lives on. We try to make sure that the programme does not die. So, it’s a passion and love for what Keshi has given to this country that has kept us going.
“None of his team mates has come out to say ‘lets support you for this programme.’ One person, who is not even his team mate, who has shown interest is Tijani Babangida. Troost Ekong, the Super Eagles Captain, has also shown interest in the programme so also Ahmed Musa. We met them before this tournament. Though they made promises but have yet to fulfil them.”
Going further, Etemike disclosed: “They have given us a big piece of land in Obazuya where we intend to raise money to establish a vocational centre where people will come and learn so many things. Where there will be a camp, a field etc”
Ex-International Austin Popo, Secretary of the Nigerian Players Union and also Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Stephen Keshi Football and Vocational Training Centre, the organisers of the tournament.
“We have not had any kind of institutional support. It’s very sad and pathetic. It’s not that we’re not reaching out. We’re reaching out. Why will one now get annoyed if a player while still active becomes selfish? Because even at the end of the day nobody cares.
“We’re talking about Stephen Keshi here. If it were to be one individual within the government circle everybody would be here.
“I personally went to Abuja. The President of the NFF, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, is my very good friend. I personally invited him. He is supposed to be the guest of honour. I also invited the National Sports Commission(NSC) boss, Shehu Dikko. He is also my friend.
“They should be here. There’s nothing wrong to honour Keshi. There presence here today would have made a lot of difference. In the last 24 hours I have been trying to communicate with them. Even if you are not coming you can send a representative.”
On the challenges they face in organising the tournament: “It has not been easy organising the tournament. We task ourselves and reach out to some individuals.
“I met some Super Eagles players who played under him in the Class of 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. They made promises and I hope they keep to their promises.”
Norway based FIFA licensed agent, Navjod Singh Prar, who was at the stadium to watch the players in action, said that he has seen some promising ones among the lot and he would be extending invitation to them to play in overseas.
Peter Nieketen ex- Eagles player advised coaches/handlers not to succumb to age cheating as it will have a negative effect on their players on the long run making them to decline in performance at the age they’re supposed to peak.
In the final match of the tournament Worshippers FC defeated Dynamo Sports Club by 4 – 2 penalties after the match ended in a scoreless draw at 90 minutes.
In the third place match Flight FC of Gboko in Benue State defeated Dynamo Academica of Benin by 11 goals to 10 through penalty kicks after the two teams ended the 90 minutes duration of the match in a 1 – 1 draw.Â
An elated Akighir Terkimbi Johnson, Coach of the Flight FC, Gboko, expresssed his excitement at the performance of his players who lost in the final of the 2020 edition of the tournament with a promise that they still have more surprises to spring in the future.
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