Anambra Secondary School Sports: CKC, Two Other Onitsha-Based Schools Reach Final

By Ikemefuna Asika

Christ the Kings College (CKC), Washington Memorial Secondary school, and Urban Girls Secondary school, all from Onitsha have romped into the finals of Anambra State School Sports competition (soccer events) and will represent Anambra North in the State finals billed for Awka in the month of June, 2024.

CKC, coached by Fidelis Ejiofor walloped Prince Memorial High School also of Onitsha by 5-1 in the zonal final boys under-18 category while in the U-14 boys category Washington Grammar School defeated CKC by 3 – 0.

For the U-18 girls. Category, Urban Girls Secondary School, Onitsha beat Esteem Academy, Onitsha by a lone goal.

In the primary school u-12 boys category, Okpoko Primary School thrashed Central School, Odoakpu 4-0 to qualify to represent the zone in the state finals.

Reacting to their qualification, CKC  coach Ejiofor, described his school team performance as “the begining of things to come”.

“Our current determination is to reenact our school old reckoning in sporting events particularly football.

“Currently, we have football, basketball, tennis, table tennis and other sports events in the school. All the school teams are doing well, adding to our performance in academic,” he said.

He commended the school principal for his personal contributions to development and achievements so far in sports.

Ejiofor commended also Gov. Chukwuma Soludo for reviving schools sports in the state now on second edition this year.

In the Volleyball event for U – 18 boys category, Washington Grammar School Onitsha defeated SS Peter and Paul Missionary School Ogbaru by 2 sets of 25 -4 and 25- 3 to qualify for the state finals. All the events took place at Chuba Ikpazu stadium Onitsha.

At Isuofia Center Aguata zone, there were remarkable performances from students across various age categories.

The event featured series of football matches.

In the Under-12 male category, Town Primary School Igboukwu emerged victorious over Community School Awgbu with a 2-1 win. The young players from Igboukwu demonstrated exceptional skill and determination which enabled them secure their victory.

In the Under-14 male category Community High School Nanka narrowly defeated Christ Redeemer College Amesi with a 1-0 scoreline.

The Under-18 male category was the only game decided on penalty as the scoreline stood at goaless after 90 minutes of action between St. Dominic Seminary Akpu and Christ Redeemer College Amesi. In the ensuing penalty shootout, St. Dominic Seminary Akpu won by 6 – 5.

In the female Under-18 category, Community Secondary School Igboukwu dominated Community Secondary School Enugu-abor Ufuma with a 2-0 victory.

At Anambra South Centre with Nnewi High School as the venue, Nigeria Science and Technical College Otolo Nnewi defeated Boys Secondary school Oraifite 3-1 to secure the male U-18 ticket. In a highly contested game , Onyedika Okafor of NSTC broke the deadlock off a solo run to beat the on rushing keeper of Boys Secondary school Oraifite. Kenechukwu Nwafor doubled the lead before Kamsi Edeh reduced the deficit for the boys from Oraifite. Kenechukwu Nwafor increased the goal tally in the second half from a freekick to secure the state qualification. Prior to the final, NSTC had defeated St Augustine college Mbosi on penalties (6-5) after the game ended in 1-1 while Boys Secondary school Oraifite won Queen of Angels Osumeyi 2-1.

In the female U-18 category, Azia comprehensive Secondary school defeated Ukpor Community High school on penalties after the game ended in a barren draw. Azia comprehensive Secondary school and Ukpor community High school had defeated Santa Maria Secondary school Ozubulu and NSTC ( Female) respectively by 1-0 during the semi finals.

Other football results, Nnewi High school secured the U-14 qualification spot by defeating Ukpor High school by 3-0. Onoja Onyedika scored twice while Nwaknwo Chimezie scored once .

In the U-12 ( primary school) male football, it was a controversial game as Uli Central school Uli were alleged to have filded Secondary school students. The game ended 2-0 in favour of Uli Central School who had their opponent , Akamili Central play under protest.

In the volleyball events, Immaculate Girls Secondary school Nnewi defeated Jesus International Oraifite 2-0 to qualify for the U-18 female state finals.

Host, Nnewi High school defeated St Augustine college Mbosi 2-0 to secure the available slot in the male U-18 category.

In the U-14 category for male Nnewi High school showed their dominace in the volleyball as they defeated Christ Secondary school Osumeyi 2-0 in the game of 3 sets.

However, a lot of flaws have characterized the ongoing school sports competitions including age cheat, no first aid box,, goal post nets,side referees, team lists for matches, passport and identity cards to identify the players before kick off matches