By Gracious Akujobi St. Thomas Basic Secondary School, Benin and Brightville College, Ibadan on Friday, at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos zoomed into the finals of the 2014 NNPC/Shell Cup, with each school beating their opponents convincingly. Analysts predict a clash of two talented sides, but are eager to tip three time qualifiers in the championship, St. Thomas Benin as favourites to take home the coveted trophy.
The Benin boys trounced Dangogo Secondary School, Bangudu, Zamfara State 5-1 in the second semi-final match, while Brightville College won their ticket to the final match with a 2-0 victory over Government Model Secondary School, Kontagora at the end of the eighty-minute encounter.
“What I have seen is impressive, but there is still a lot of work to be done and that is where our partnership with NNPC/Shell to improve the talents in this championship becomes relevant. I see some potential players who will need to be nurtured,” said the Senior Coach of Feyenoord Youth Academy, Jan Gosgens who led some coaching sessions with some of the teams before their semi-final matches.
The All Nigeria Secondary Schools Football Championship popularly known as NNPC/Shell Cup was founded on the philosophy that youth sports and education can enhance the chances of success of youth who choose to pursue careers on the football field. Some 16 years on, the championship has identified and groomed many grassroots talents to national and international stardom. Some notable alumni of the championship include Ejike Uzoenyi, Idowu Akiinjide, Solomon Okonkwo, Bala Ezekie, Ambrsoe Vanzekin, Isaac promise, Emmanuel Sarki, Chinedu Obasi, Femi Opabunmi, Ibrahim Ajani, Eyimofe Joseph and among others.
Dangogo Secondary School, Bangudu and Government Model Secondary School, Kontagora will battle for third place at 9AM on Sunday ahead of the final match which is scheduled to start at 3PM at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere the same day.
