It was Great football artistry on display as the Bet9ja Nigeria Nationwide League One Super 8 climaxed on Saturday with FRSC FC of Abuja’s victory over AS Racine of Lagos 3-2 on penalties after the game stood at 1-1 in regulation time.
Stephen Azubuike, the goal keeper of the “Road Marshalls” was the saving grace of the team, as he was in terrific form denying AS Racine one- on – one situations so many times during the course of the game and the same form was re-enacted during the penalty shoot-outs when he saved three penalty kicks of AS Racine to deprive the Lagos based team and their supporters victory celebration.
Azubuike was also awarded the best goal keeper of the tournament and his heroics exploits has not gone unnoticed by some clubs in the professional cadre of the Nigeria League, who have been making enquiries for his services.
On the opposing end is Stephen Anyanwu, the attacking midfielder of AS Racine was the toast of football loving fans at the Agege Township stadium with his deft touches and dribbling runs , scoring one of the great goals of the tournament with his breathtaking free goal against Enyimba Feeders.
And despite not able to lead his team to victory in the final, his football talent did not go unnoticed, as he was voted the Most Valuable Player( MVP) of the tournament.
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And from all indications the AS Racine midfielder may have seen a brighter light shining on his football career with clubs in the South East of Nigeria rolling out juicy tempting offers to lure him out of Lagos .
Papilo FC, which began the tournament in glorious form, lost steam completely when they lost 4-0 to My People FC in the third place game, handling the bronze medal game timidly to My People FC of Lagos , but they did not totally lose out as the F.A Champions of Imo State were awarded the fair play trophy.
Speaking to www,nigerianationwideleague.com at the end of the tournament, Mutiu Adepoju, former Nigeria International and La Liga Ambassador to Nigeria affirmed that the standard of the final game was very high.
Adding that it is another confirmation that Nigeria is blessed with great football talents a the grassroots, while also praising the leadership of the Nigeria Nationwide League One on the master piece of football tournament they were able to organise in Lagos.
” We watched a very thrilling football game in the final and from what i saw , the standard of the game exhibited by teams was very high and i am quite sure these teams will be more formidable at the Nigeria National League (NNL).”
He added ” I must commend the Nigeria Nationwide League for organising the Super 8 and i am sure everybody that graced this tournament went home satisfied with the level of football and organisation at the tournament.”