Okeoshishi Unity Cup In Oguta: IUU Emerges Champions With Emphatic Victory Over Ogbungire In Thrilling Finale

 

The grand finale of the 2024 Oguta Village Tournament lived up to its billing as I.U.U claimed a commanding 2-0 victory over Ogbungire at the Oguta Girls Primary School field in Oguta, Imo State, on December 30th. The match, which was generously sponsored by philanthropist Ambassador Ifeanyi Ogbuagu Ogbonna Okeoshishi in the spirit of the festive season, provided both excitement and a sense of community spirit, with the legendary Mobi Oparaku (M.O.N), an Olympic gold medalist from the 1996 Atlanta Games, gracing the occasion.

From the outset, the atmosphere was electric, as the teams battled not only for victory but also for the substantial prize money on offer. The match saw I.U.U’s midfield maestro Henry Ogene take control early on, forcing Ogbungire's goalkeeper into a sharp save in the 15th minute. The first half provided plenty of tension, with I.U.U pressing forward, after a missed opportunity in the 24th minute.

However, the deadlock was broken in the 26th minute when I.U.U's Uzonwanne Ozoemena latched onto a well-executed pass and slotted home, sending the fans into raptures. Despite Ogbungire's best efforts to respond, the first half ended with I.U.U leading 1-0.

The second half saw Ogbungire push hard for an equalizer, but they were unable to find their rhythm. I.U.U nearly doubled their lead in the 48th minute when Ogene's long-range effort flew just wide of the target. The clock ticked on, and with each passing minute, Ogbungire’s chances of a comeback seemed slimmer, as I.U.U’s defense held firm.

As the match entered its dying stages, Ogbungire's frustration grew, and it was I.U.U who struck decisively in the 90+3 minute. Henry Ogene, who had been a constant threat throughout, sealed the win with a well-taken goal, ensuring his team’s victory and a deserved triumph in the tournament.

At full time, I.U.U were crowned champions, with a 2-0 victory over Ogbungire. The winning team walked away with ₦400,000, while the runners-up Ogbungire earned ₦300,000. Umunari, who had earlier placed third, claimed ₦200,000.

In the individual awards, there were standout performances across the board. Ifeanyi Ogene was named the Best Goalkeeper for his heroic efforts, while Uzonwanne Ozoemena bagged both the Highest Goal Scorer and Hat Trick Hero accolades, after his exploits earlier in the tournament. The Best Player of the final was awarded to Henry Ogene, whose vital contributions were key in sealing I.U.U’s victory.

The Best Behaved Team award went to Umudei, a fitting recognition of their sportsmanship throughout the competition.

The final match was attended by dignitaries from various walks of life, including Imo Swan Chairman and renowned broadcaster Cosmos Chukwuemeka (PUYAKA) and Heartland Queens coach Obi Ogbala, who added to the event's grandeur. Ambassador Ifeanyi Ogbuagu Ogbonna Okeoshishi was also honored by the people of Oguta with the prestigious Gold Award, a gesture acknowledging his unwavering commitment to the development of the region and its youth.

Reacting, ambassador Ogbonna expressed satisfaction saying  "I think everything went better than it was last year, all the teams did better than they did last year. We're gonnu work on  improvement next year, hopefully next year will be better than this year," when ask about the challenges faced, he said  "I  will say most challenge faced this year was people complaining about the referees and we are working to see whether the referees can attend trainings and improve".

As the final whistle blew, the victory celebrations were as much about the spirit of unity fostered by the competition as they were about the on-field success. This year’s Oguta Village Tournament proved to be a true testament to the power of sport to bring communities together, providing the youth with an outlet for talent, passion, and camaraderie.