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Mailafia peace & unity cup : Thunder Football FC opens game with lone goal against Heartland FC.
From Esther Akaa, Lafia
Defending champions Thunder Football Club of Agyaragu has defeated Heartland FC of Shabu 1- 0 at the opening match of the 8th edition of the Mailafia tournament, played in Daddare, Obi Local Government Area ( LGA) of Nasarawa State.
The game which was played on Saturday at the Daddare Government Secondary School playing field, saw Mamuda Mohammed ( Jersey no 8) of Thunder FC scoring the winning goal barely 9 minutes into the game to give the 7th edition winners edge over their opponents.
The struggle continued between the defending champions and Heartland to get the three maximum points for the competition in second half.
However, game ended 1-0 with a large crowd who watched with admiration jumped into wild jubilation.
In a post match reaction, the former Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia, said he was impressed with the level of performance of the both teams.
Siasia further said that the competition will no doubt harness talents that will stand a chance in the Nigeria’s premiership leagues and international football team.
He lauded the organiser of the tournament, CSP, Yakubu Mailafia for sponsoring the competition for 8 consecutive times, calling on other spirited individuals to invest in the sporting sector.
“We will support him and the players that would be discovered to be exceptional to enable them pursue their dreams to become professional footballers.
“Other spirited individuals and companies who are doing well in the state should also support this kind of efforts to promote the young ones interested in sports,” he said.
Also speaking, the Nasarawa State Chairman of the Football Association (FA), Salisu Galadima commended the sponsor for the initiative which he said would address youth restiveness.
He therefore, promised that the football association under his leadership would partner with the sponsor as well as others interested in promoting football especially at the grassroots in line with the vision of the Nigeria Football Federation, Confederation of African Football CAF and FIFA.
On his part, the state House of Assembly Member (PDP, Lafia North), representing Lafia North, Barr Esson Mairiga said three teams in his constituency were participating in the competition.
He expressed satisfaction in the Organisation of the tournament and played his support in order to discover young talents.
On his part , Yakubu Mailafia, sponsor of the competition, said that this was the eighth edition of the competition and he was motivated by his passion for football.
“We started the competition in 2016 with just eight clubs, but the 2024 edition has 32 clubs from Nasarawa South and Nasarawa State Senatorial Districts.
“We have a lot of plans for players who would display exceptional talents at the competition to promote their football career,” he said.
Nigerian Post reports that the competition which began on October 12th 2024, will end on the 26th of December this year.
