Eight schools qualify for Zenith/delta Principals’ Cup quarterfinals

THE Season 2 of the Delta State Principals’ Cup sponsored by Zenith Bank has entered the home stretch this term as eight schools have qualified for the quarterfinals of the competition.

It was a tough duel between January 23 and 26 as 35 schools battled for hostilities in 10 different zones for the eight slots.

After four days, the teams that qualified are St Michael’s College Oleh, Isoko, Obule Integrated School, Sapele, Boys Secondary School, Obiaruku, Ogume Grammar School, Ogume, Ndokwa West, Marvel International School, Ughelli North and Otokutu Secondary School, Ughelli South.

The six secondary schools emerged tops in a round robin competition at zonal stage of the event to pick a ticket to the last eight of the competition.

However, zone A and H finished without a winner as the organisers have ruled that there will be decisive ties to determine a winner.

In group A, Comprehensive Secondary School, Ogwuachi-uku and Okpanam High School, Oshimirin North are tied on four points and plus three goals difference.

Uduaka secondary School Ethiope West and Iwere College, Koko, ended with four points and plus one goal difference. The organisers of the tournament, Hideaplus Limited will in the days ahead decide the date and venue of the decisive ties where the final two quarterfinalists would emerge. The Chief Executive Officer of Hideaplus, Tony Pemu, said the zonal stage of the competition was tough for many of the schools.

Pemu said: “Football at any stage is not easy. There was a rest period and we advised the sports officers to be ready for a keen context in the New Year. It was indeed the survival of the fittest.

“The teams that excelled last years were nowhere near the quarterfinal slots and it also means that the aims of the Delta State Government and Zenith Bank are being realized with more teams and players coming up.”

The commissioner for Basic Secondary School, Chiedu Ebie, has been monitoring proceedings of the competition so far together with some officials of the sponsors, Zenith Bank.

The quarterfinals takes place between February 13 and 16 at venues yet be decided by the organisers.