State Champions Emerge in 2017 NNPC/Shell Cup
The state preliminaries of the NNPC/Shell Cup for All Nigeria Secondary Schools Football Championship, which began a few weeks ago in all states of the country and the Federal Capital territory is now producing schools that would represent each state at the zonal preliminaries.
At the Oyo state final played on Tuesday at the popular Wesley College, Elekuro playground in Ibadan, 2014 National runners up, Brightville College, Ibadan lost to Asegun Comprehensive College, Ibadan by 1-0. It would be recalled that Asegun Comprehensive College hasd made several attempts at clinching the national trophy in the past. This could be their opportunity as they take another shot at the trophy.
The Ogun State NNPC/Shell Cup final was between Comprehensive Academy, Abeokuta and Methodist Comprehensive College, Sagamu. This hostility hosted by Abeokuta Grammar School saw the former go home with the trophy after beating their opponents from Sagamu by 1-0.
In Katsina, Family Support Secondary School defeated Government College, Katsina to lift the state trophy and book a ticket for the zonal finals.
The Sokoto State final saw Sultan Bello Secondary School defeat Army Day Secondary School 8-7 via penalties after the match had ended 2-2 at regulation time.
Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State final was won by Holy Ghost Secondary School, Abakaliki after edging out Twelve Apostles College, Sharon, by a lone goal.
All states champions are expected to have emerged on or before June 7.
Other state champions are; Comprehensive Secondary School, Edemeya, Akwa Ibom State, Ahmadu Bahago Secondary School, Minna, Niger State, Government Day Secondary School, Lamisula, Borno State, Government Technical Training School, Jalingo, Taraba State.
One of the World’s leading boxing promoters Frank Warren, has announced that elite Nigerian boxer, Larry “The Natural” Ekundayo, will be fighting for the WBO Inter-continental welterweight title at the Copper Box Arena, London, on July 8.
The undefeated, former African boxing champion and Prize Fighter winner has been given the opportunity to fight for this prestige’s title as the main support to Billy Joe Saunders, who headlines the show and is defending his world title.
Ekundayo (12-0) will fight against the highly ranked and much feared Gary Corcoran, who has an impressive (16-1) record Should Ekundayo overcome this challenge he will be catapulted high into the WBO world rankings, with a world title shot in sight.
Ekundayo, who proudly wears the green and white of Nigeria into battle, said, “I would really likely to thank my management team, MTK, for arranging this title shot and for Frank Warren for giving me an opportunity to showcase my skills in front of a global audience.”
He represents the country’s best opportunity of delivering sporting success in 2017. He is thrilled to have the whole nation behind him, saying, “They have recently passed a bill in the Nigerian National Assembly to help support me and help bring big time boxing back to Nigeria, if we are given the right support we can rule the world of boxing.”
He and Olusegun Ajose, were recently blessed by Ooni of Ife with further promise of support, not only for the boxers but for all Nigerians in the Diaspora seeking to bring glory to their fatherland. His Royal Majesty the Ooni of Ife had earlier urged all Nigerians in the United Kingdom and Europe to attend the boxing event to give maximum support to Ekundayo.