Young Stars Football Club of Usen have emerged champions of the 10th Peter Obaseki Football Tournament in Ovia after defeating 2019 champions Cocoa FC.
The only goal, which was scored within nine minutes of play in the first half was all that separated the visitors from the homers.
Cocoa FC were the first to test Young Stars goalkeeper with a grounder after five minutes, but the goalie held firm.
In the 25th minute, Young Stars drove a 20-yard free-kick wide off the mark, and two minutes later, young stars attacker headed tamely over the bar. On the dot of half time, Cocoa wingback teasing cross found no connection.
In the second half, Cocoa FC were marginally more ambitious as strings of free-kicks and set pieces taken by Captain Ahmed Fatai failed to find the intended target as the game ended 1:0 in favour of Young Stars.
The result accomplished a first win of Peter Obaseki Football Tournament Trophy for the Usen based team as they receive the 100,000 Naira star prize.
Despite the loss, the Cocoa FC received the second prize of 80,000 Naira and set of jerseys.
In the third place match held at Igbogor Primary School football pitch, Invincible FC of Ondo state dethroned Unique FC 5-4 on penalties after they ended goalless in regulation time.
Invincible FC were rewarded with 50,000 Naira for emerging the third best team of the competition just as the coach and goalkeeper were named the most disciplined and best goalkeeper of the tournament.
Speaking with OBSERVERSports during the final, the Sponsor, Peter Obaseki, said the annual competition was a fusion between the community and Catholic Church aimed at promoting in communal relationship with villages in Ovia.
He maintained that the yearly football ritual, which was structured along three cardinal objectives of consistently creating platform for grassroots soccer; Peace and Unity as well as creating entertainment in the community has achieved its objectives.
In the words of Peter Obaseki on the the 10th Peter Obaseki Football Tournament:
“This tournament has shown that football is the same feelings everywhere. I am impressed with quality of the event, officiating, organisation and the spectators.
We have three core objectives which is consistent platform for grassroots soccer. Early identification of talents. Another objective is to use the tournament to promote peace and unity in Ovia land and create entertainment in the community.
We are taking this competition to International height and with the support of the community and the Catholic Church, we will keep the annual competition consistently into the far future.”
