The quarter-final matches of the ongoing Etisalat FC Barcelona U-17 Schools’ Cup lived up to expectations of fun, excitement, and display of talents. The matches which were played at the Campus Stadium, Lagos Island was also filled with lots of joy as four teams made it to the semi finals stage of the competition, with their opponents exiting, amid tears.
The semi finalists are Akande Dahunsi Senior Memorial High School, Ikoyi; Magbo Alade Senior Grammer School, Ibeju, Lekki; Keke Senior High School, Ifako Ijaye and Anthony Village Senior High School, Anthony Village, Lagos. The losing quarter finalists include Sango Senior Secondary School, Agege; Obele Community Senior High School, Surulere; Ogunmodede Senior College, Epe, and Ajumoni Senior Secondary School, Mushin.
Commenting on the success of the quarter final matches, Manager, Sponsorships at Etisalat Nigeria, Orah Egwu commended the teams for their display of exceptional skills, saying that this portends a bright future for Nigerian football. According to him, this was what Etisalat had in mind when it came up with the idea of organising the competition. He congratulated the semi finalists on their victory, and also urged the losing teams not to be disappointed, but see it as a challenge for improvement.
Team members, supporters and coaches of the qualifying teams could not hide their joy at the final whistle. Samuel Ajala, Head Coach, Keke Senior High School whose team pummeled Obele Community Senior High School 5-1 to reach the semi finals said the side can only get better. “I am very happy that we came out victorious in our match. We really played well, even though we could have won with more goals,” he said.
In other matches, Akande Dahunsi Senior Memorial High School beat Ajumoni Senior Secondary School 1-0; Magbo Alade Senior Grammer School beat Sango Senior Secondary School 3-2 on penalties, while Anthony Village Senior High School thrashed Ogunmodede Senior College 4-1. The semi-final matches come up on August 14, at the Campus Square football field, Obalende, Lagos Island.
