"Football for Hope" Festival 2010
Nigerian youths shine in
South Africa
Yomi KuKu
Alexandria,SA
Nigeria (represented by Search and Groom –youth for development centre) fought from behind to secure maximum points on the opening day of proceedings at the “Football for Hope” Festival 2010.
Playing against Grassrootsoccer (Zimbabwe, Zambia & South South Africa) in Group A, the team lost possession deep in the half of their opponent and a counter attack resulted in the lone goal for the team from Southern Africa.
Trailing one-nil and with less than three minutes to play, substitute Emmanuel Egege came from the bench to level score after a solo run beating four players on the way.
The capacity crowd at the specially constructed street soccer stadium with artificial turf went wild with excitement after Kehinde Akinwande hit the roof of the net with a minute to spare to end score at 2 – 1.
Goalkeeper Ebenezer Aderemi had started the build up from the rear and Egege Emmanuel shrugged off two opponents, with only the goalkeeper to beat, he chose to pass on the ball to Kehinde Akinwande and she hit a rising shot for a spectacular goal.
With this result, Nigeria made three points from the game and another one point for fairplay on the pitch.
Earlier in the day, FIFA President Sepp Blatter alongside South African President Jacob Zuma was at Alexandria to declare the Festival open. Suliat Yusuf, captain of the Nigerian team was amongst the selected 32 youths that helped out in adding colour to the opening ceremony.
The FIFA President stressed the educational function of the event, saying: "Football is based on discipline and respect, a game played in good spirit. Being a school of life, football is also an education which is not only seen in school but throughout life. That is why the Football for Hope Festival can bring together all of football's qualities and ethics to disseminate hope through the game and to promote the health of our youth."
President Zuma said the young people taking part would gain precious lessons from the week ahead. "Football is more than just football, it is something beyond. The Football for Hope Festival provides the participants with a chance to experience and learn – to learn to be a happy winner and to accept defeat graciously. I wish I were a young man who could compete in this wonderful competition." The two presidents then jointly declared the festival open.
South Africa (Team Alexandria) lost the opening game by two goals to nil to Uruguay.
Meanwhile, action resume On Monday July 5, with Nigeria playing two games with the first match against TEAM USA at 11:50 (local time) the game with FOOTBALL UNITED (Australia) will hold at 15:00 (local time).
NB: A million apologies to everyone trying to reach me on the phone, the battery went flat and I am quite sorry about that. The number is still the same: + 27 (0) 711 6477 86
Playing against Grassrootsoccer (Zimbabwe, Zambia & South South Africa) in Group A, the team lost possession deep in the half of their opponent and a counter attack resulted in the lone goal for the team from Southern Africa.
Trailing one-nil and with less than three minutes to play, substitute Emmanuel Egege came from the bench to level score after a solo run beating four players on the way.
The capacity crowd at the specially constructed street soccer stadium with artificial turf went wild with excitement after Kehinde Akinwande hit the roof of the net with a minute to spare to end score at 2 – 1.
Goalkeeper Ebenezer Aderemi had started the build up from the rear and Egege Emmanuel shrugged off two opponents, with only the goalkeeper to beat, he chose to pass on the ball to Kehinde Akinwande and she hit a rising shot for a spectacular goal.
With this result, Nigeria made three points from the game and another one point for fairplay on the pitch.
Earlier in the day, FIFA President Sepp Blatter alongside South African President Jacob Zuma was at Alexandria to declare the Festival open. Suliat Yusuf, captain of the Nigerian team was amongst the selected 32 youths that helped out in adding colour to the opening ceremony.
The FIFA President stressed the educational function of the event, saying: "Football is based on discipline and respect, a game played in good spirit. Being a school of life, football is also an education which is not only seen in school but throughout life. That is why the Football for Hope Festival can bring together all of football's qualities and ethics to disseminate hope through the game and to promote the health of our youth."
President Zuma said the young people taking part would gain precious lessons from the week ahead. "Football is more than just football, it is something beyond. The Football for Hope Festival provides the participants with a chance to experience and learn – to learn to be a happy winner and to accept defeat graciously. I wish I were a young man who could compete in this wonderful competition." The two presidents then jointly declared the festival open.
South Africa (Team Alexandria) lost the opening game by two goals to nil to Uruguay.
Meanwhile, action resume On Monday July 5, with Nigeria playing two games with the first match against TEAM USA at 11:50 (local time) the game with FOOTBALL UNITED (Australia) will hold at 15:00 (local time).
NB: A million apologies to everyone trying to reach me on the phone, the battery went flat and I am quite sorry about that. The number is still the same: + 27 (0) 711 6477 86
