By Fred Edoreh
It is time for the battle of champions in the Zenith Bank Delta Principals Cup as the four semi finalists are set to square up for who plays in the centre stage on final day before top dignitaries drawn from government, the media, community leaders and an array of top sports legends, and then to cart home the huge prizes on offer.
Semi finals action will open on Monday, February 26, at the Warri Township Stadium with Marvel International School, Ughelli North, matched against their brothers from the South, Otokutu Secondary School.
The Kwale Stadium will on Tuesday, February 27, present the decider in the second semi final with St Paul’s Secondary School, Ozoro, Isoko North, up against Boys Secondary School, Obiaruku, Ukwani LGA.
Marvel got the better part of their quarter final fixture, scoring two past Iwere College, Koko, with Jeko Daniel emerging man of the match after opening the net with a brilliant dribble run and a blinding strike in the 52nd minute and providing the assist, thereafter, for the second, with no reply from the Koko boys.
Their semi final opponent, Otokutu, on their part, has Ekpan Oghenero to thank for providing the lone 59th minute goal that saw them edge out Ogume Ogume Grammar School, representing Ndokwa West, in the fourth quarter concluded at the Oleh Township Stadium on Saturday.
It was not good cheer for Coach Tosan Blackson who led Master Care International School Asaba, to win the maiden edition of the competition and had come this second time around, to bring hitherto high scoring side, Obule Integrated Schools, Sapele, far into the competition. They however lost steam in the quarter finals on February 21, after forcing a 1-1 draw at regulation but lost 4-5 on penalties to St Paul’s Secondary School, Ozoro, who had opened scores on the 20th minute through Ewoma before Gift Williams equalized in the 30th for Obule.
St Paul’s has now to contend with Boys Secondary Obiaruku, who pipped Comprehensive Secondary School, Ogwashi Uku, 1-0 at the Agbor Township Stadium in their quarter final fixture played on February 22.
While the losers of the semi finals will immediately engage themselves on February 28, for the third place match, the winners will rest for a few days before proceeding for the endgame scheduled for March 2 at the Ozoro Polytechnic Stadium.
Organizers are promising the grand finale will be a show stopper with His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and top officials of the sponsor, Zenith Bank, listed for attendance.
There are indications that the crew of Cable TV leader, Supersport, and Super Eagles Ex-International, Victor Ikpeba, will be on ground to infuse their schools sports development programme, “Let’s Play”, into the line up to provide even more sporting fun and inspiration for the thousands of students and pupils to be drawn to the finals.
