By Roland Ike
The Sponsor of the 6th Ifeanyi Ekwueme TICO/ SELECT pre-season football tournament, Ifeanyi Ekwueme has unveiled the kits and others items to be used by participating clubs at the fiesta, being staged at the Pa Ngele Oruta stadium, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
Highpoints of the unveiling was the showcase by models, the FIFA world cup Identical trophy to be won by winners of the tournament used to prepare clubs for the forthcoming Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Nigeria Nationwide League among others.
Presenting the items which included tournament tags, match balls, teams officials wears among others, the sponsor and ex- Super Eagles left winger, Ifeanyi Ekwueme urged them to compete in the spirit of sportsmanship and be good ambassadors of their clubs.
The Chairman of tournament’s Local Organizing Committee, Nnamdi Chukwumeremeze said that the exercise was in line with its pledge of ensuring a modern and professional tournament.
“The official wears and the SELECT match balls are motivational efforts of the sponsor, to encourage the teams.
“Teams which received the kits and tournament items include; Abia Warriors FC of Umuahia, Rangers International FC of Enugu, Mathias FC of Abakaliki, Excellent FC of Ugheli Delta State, Kun Khalifat FC of Owerri, Apex Krane FC of Asaba, Delta state and Enyimba FC of Aba as well the Ebonyi State Football Association Secretariat.
Four matches were decided on Sunday with Ashivers FC being held 2-2 by Mathias FC, while Kun Khalifat FC of Owerri in its second outing held NPFL champions, Rangers to a 1-1 draw.
Abia Warriors in its third game of the day continued its dominance of group A, edging Apex Krane FC 2-1 just as Enyimba FC overcame Excellent FC challenge with a narrow 1-0 victory
Football lovers in Ebonyi were on Monday treated to a fascinating NPFL clash as Abia Warriors FC of Umuahia and Enugu Rangers International FC renewed their Oriental derby with a goaless draw.
The match lived up to its top class billing which made many fans clamour for the immediate commencement of the 2024/ 2025 NPFL season.
Both sides couldn’t hide their intentions to go for victory but their astute defences held sway in the crunchy, gripping and thrilling game.
The result leaves the Flying Antelopes with two draws in the competition while Abia Warriors comfortably lead Group A with 7 points having won two and drawn one game.
Group B saw Enyimba taking charge with two straight victories after defeating had fighting Excellent FC of Enugu 1- 0.
The win earned the Peoples Elephants maximum 6 points from two games as the early game of the day between Kun Khalifat FC of Owerri and Coal City of Enugu ended 1-1.
This result leaves the Owerri side needing to win its last game against Abia Warriors on Tuesday by 12noon.
Coal City FC on the other hand will have its hands filled by 4pm on Tuesday when it takes on Rangers International in an Enugu derby.
The first game of Tuesday will see Excellent FC of Ughelli attempting to join Enyimba FC in the Semi finals when it takes on home side and the youngest in the tournament, Mathias FA of Ebonyi.
The Ebonyi side has lost two games so far leaving it without any point.
Tico and Select are two foreign companies which manufacture sports wears and equipment.
