Mokwa local government football team defeated Katcha LGA 9-8 on penalties to emerge champions of the second edition of the Alhaji MK Usman Cup in the final played at the Kudu township field in Mokwa local government area Niger State on Saturday.
An electrifying encounter, the match, which was a repeat of the inaugural edition won by Katcha on penalties had a date with fate when the winner eventually emerged from spot kick affairs.
Mokwa would have won it in regulation time had they taken all their chances, but a determined Katcha were all bent to keep the trophy.
It was another round of heated moment during the penalties when the teams had to stretch the dying hours for 20 spot kicks.
Speaking after the encounter, the sponsor, Alhaji Mohamed Kudu Usman commended the organisers,while stating that the motive of hosting the competition was to engage the youth and make them productive.
“There are crimes and criminalities everywhere. But if you find youth and engage them in this manner, they won’t have time for all that will not be better for the country”. He noted.
“We have spectators who have been very peaceful from beginning up to this time. There is no winner there is no vanquish. It’s all about participation and taking your time to do something productive”
Alhaji Usman also believes that grassroots sports must be prioritized in a bid to produce more players like Jay Jay Okocha, Mikel Obi, Daniel Amokachi, Ahmed Musa who all started from the scratch.
“We will do our best to continue. But it’s important to note that MK Usman you see before you has served his Father land for thirty five years and has retired from active service but I’m not tired Said the sponsor while reacting to the question of sustaining the tournament.
The event was graced by top football stakeholders in Niger state led by Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, Chairman, Niger State football Association (NSFA) who also doubles as the Chairman of NFF Technical Development Committee.
Also in the roll of guests was the Village head of Kudu, Alhaji Tsowa Kudu; Director of Sports Niger State, Alhaju Baba Sheshi and State FA Chairmen of Kwara, Kogi, Kaduna, Plateau States.
Earlier on Friday, Bida local football team ran away with the bronze medals after defeating Kusopa United 4-2 on penalties in the third place final.
The football fiesta which featured all the 8 local governments in the Niger State South Senatorial district and Kusopa United was organised by the Niger State Zone ‘A’ football stakeholders under the leadership of Alhaji Yabagi Baba in counjuction with the local organising coommittee led by Afolabi Yunusa.
