The 2023 Ikukuoma Mbaise U-20 football tournament is nearing its conclusion, with thrilling quarter-final clashes taking place on Saturday and Sunday, February 24 and 25, 2024.
In the first quarter-final on Saturday, Ere Na Birigwe (Owerri West) secured a spot in the semi-finals with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Amumara (Ezinihitte). Ugwuoma Chika’s 74th-minute strike proved decisive, securing the win for Ere Na Birigwe at the Ezeagbogu Central School Field, Ezinihitte, Mbaise.
Ere Na Birigwe now advances to the final four, where they will face off against Obokwu Community (Ezinihitte), who overpowered Nnaramba Ward (Ahiazu) 2-1 in the second quarter-final on Saturday. Bobo Junior opened the scoring for Obokwu Comm in the 53rd minute, with Uwazie Chibueze equalizing for Nnaramba Ward two minutes later. Emenogu Ifeanyi’s 68th-minute volley secured Obokwu Comm’s 2-1 victory and a spot in the semi-finals.
In the Sunday quarter-final clash, Umuoree Eziudo (Ezinihitte) emerged victorious with a narrow 1-0 win over Obizi Community (Ezinihitte). Okaehialam Chijioke’s 20th-minute strike made the difference, securing the hard-fought win for Umuoree Eziudo.
Umuoree Eziudo now faces a formidable challenge in the second semi-final, where they will take on Eziudo (Ezinihitte) later this week. Eziudo secured their spot in the semi-finals with a 1-0 victory over Uvuru Aboh Mbaise, courtesy of a brilliant 58th-minute individual strike by Chijioke Ododo.
The highly anticipated final of the 2023 Ikukuoma Mbaise U-20 Football Tournament is scheduled to take place on Sunday, March 3, 2024, at the Ezeagbogu Central School Field, Ezinihitte, Mbaise. The tournament is generously sponsored by High Chief Dr. Summers VC Nwokie (Ikukuoma 1 Of Mbaise).
