CNS/NOWA Tournaments: Harvest Of Goals,Tension Galore As Teams Qualify For Semi-Final
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By Paul Akhagbemhe
The Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and Queen’s School in Enugu South East Nigeria, witnessed harvest of goals and unimaginable tension Thursday at the 2024 Chief Of Naval Staff U-14 boys and NOWA U-17 girls football tournaments.
The events put together by the Youth Sports Federation Of Nigeria YSFON got to it’s peak when quarter-finals matches were underway. Team coaches could not hold back their emotions as penalty shootouts got the better of them
The Osun girls’ team were stretch to their limit by Abia who endured unending pressure to end the game goalless.The dramatic penalty shootouts ended 11-10 in favour of Osun.
The Imo and Cross River encounter was another amazing experience as both female teams held on for 2-2 draw. Imo eventually prevailed 7-6 on penalties.
Akwa Ibom boys also got the bitter taste of the shootouts losing 8-7 to Abia in an excruciating game that ended goalless.
Unfortunately, hard-fighting and discplined Navy boys could not maintain their tempo.They were overwhelmed, losing 6-0 to the host Enugu.
The Edo boys were also unlucky.Despite a brilliant display, they lost 5-6 on penalties to kogi after 1-1 draw
After the highly entertaining and emotion-laden quarter-finals, the stage is set for Friday’s Semi-final. The teams are certainly looking ahead to another showdown.
Going by the fixtures Osun girls will face Imo in a winner-takes-all encounter while Anambra confronts Ebonyi.
In the boys Category, host Enugu will play Rivers while Kogi will face off against Abia
So far the coaches and team representatives confirmed that the competitions have lived up to expectations and Nigerian Youths have benefitted immensely from the Nigerian Navy’s gesture.
This to a large extent has contributed to curbing restiveness among the Youths.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
