A resilient Chanchaga local government football team held the host of the 2024 edition of the Niger State Governor’s Cup Football Competition, Lapai local government team to a 2-2 draw in the opening game of the tournament.
In the opening ceremony game played at the Late Mohammadu Kobo Secondary School, Lapai , the teams despite displaying a beautiful football artistry in the first half of the match could not secure any goal, as the scoreboard remained goalless in the first 45th minutes.
Isah Kasim put the host ahead in the 49th minute of the game, when he converted a spot kick awarded his team. About nine minutes later, Umar Farouq increased the goal tally to 2-0 with a header to give the host a bit of comfort, at 58 minute of the encounter.
The resilient Chanchaga LG team came out like a wounded lion and contested for every ball from all angles, this paid off in 63rd minutes of the game, with a header by substitute Kalifa Mohammed after a goal mouth scrambling to reduced the goal tally for the Chanchaga team.
Also, Israel James finished perfectly from an angle pass by Kalifa Mohammed to give Chanchaga team the needed equalizer in the 75th minute of the game. Despite all efforts by both teams in search of a winner, the match ended in a two all draw.
Dr. Nuhu Garba Ngaski, the Permanent Secretary of the state ministry of youths and sports development represented Governor Mohammed Umar Bago.
While speaking to journalists shortly after the game assured that the state will continue to engage the youths through sports.
He recalled that the state government through the sports ministry had recently inaugurated about 32 sporting associations, as part of efforts to reposition the sports sector in the state and engage the youths meaningfully.
While commending the executive members of the Niger State Football Association (NSFA) under the leadership of Comrade Ahmed Yusuf Fresh for their untiring commitment towards organizing the annual football competition, the Governor also urged the participants to uphold the spirit of sportsmanship and play by the rules of the game.
He also reiterated the commitment of the state government towards youths and sports development in the state, observing that the youths were the major actors in the sector, and urged them to embrace any sports of their choice.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary of the state ministry of local government and chieftancy affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu Mila who represented the commissioner of the ministry, Hon. Hamidu Mu’azu Jantabo assured of the ministry’s continued sponsorship of the annual Governor’s Cup Football Competition.
He also commended the state FA for organizing the tournament annually, while urging the participants to use the opportunity and strengthen the bond of friendship amongst them.
Some of the dignitaries who graced the opening ceremony were the host council chairman, Hon. Mohammed Kiriko, the council chairman of Chanchaga local government, Hon. Aminu Yakubu Ladan, the Chairman of the state darling team, Niger Tornadoes, Engr. Ibrahim Dada Maikunkele, among others.
