By Francis Ajuonuma
Team Ajegunle at the weekend proved why Ajeromi/Ifelodun (AJ City) of Lagos remains the heart of Nigerian football as they emerged winners of the maiden ‘Above 50 Football Tournament’ held at the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
In an entertaining encounter that showed senior citizens reproducing the talents they were known for at youthful age, Team Ajegunle led by former junior international, Monday Odiaka, outclassed hard-fighting Abeokuta by 3-0 to be crowned winners of the competition put together to encourage retired footballers to network and exercise themselves.
‘Team Alimosho won the losers final after defeating Team Surulere led by ex- internationals, Friday Ekpo and Godwin Okpara by 4-3 penalties. The game ended 1-1 at regulation time.
Speaking before presenting the prize money and medals to the teams, initiator/ sponsor of the tournament, Ambassador Edward Olutoke expressed happiness at the successful completion of the championship noting that plans are on the pipeline to have an above 50 football league.
“I’m very excited about the successful hosting of this tournament. When we started, a lot of people where sceptical on whether we’ll succeed or not but at the end of the day, the tournament became a huge success.
“Right now Brazil and Mexico are waiting to play a friendly with us and we’re already planning to have an above 50 football league next year”, explained Olutoke popularly known as ‘Poverty Fighter’ and also doubles as the President of Ikeja Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture
Also speaking, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the championship, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo while commending the sponsor for giving hope to the elderly charged corporate Nigeria to embrace the championship.
Winners of the tournament went home with N5 million and a giant trophy while the first and second runners-up got N2 million and N1 million respectively.
