Osun edges Imo to clinch 2017 Copa Coca-Cola tourney
Osun State representatives in the 2017 Copa CocaCola football competition, Progressive Comprehensive High School, Modakeke edged the Imo state representative Owerri City College, 1-0 on Friday to claim the trophy at the Onikan Stadium Waterfront, Lagos.
Akinlabi Adewale, who scored the only goal in the final match, later said that he was motivated into playing the game because football remains his only consolation from poverty.
“I’m happy God did this for me. I was mocked by some of my friends whenever I go out to train, but God has crowned my efforts with success.
“I will play football professionally. Coca-Cola has lifted my spirit and I will keep pushing to be the best.
“I’m grateful to this brand (the competition’s sponsors). I have never been to Lagos before and this has given me the opportunity to have new friends,” he said.
Thousands of schools registered for the tournament and competed from the regional to the state level, and finally to the national level of the competition.
The captain of the winning team, Damilare Adedeji, also said that his team won because of their determination.
“We are coming here for the first time. We have never made it this far. I’m grateful.
“We are determined to succeed, and that gave us this victory,” he said.