Parents whose wards distinguished themselves in the just concluded Copa Coca Cola north zonal championship has applauded the sponsorship of the championship by Nigerian Bottling Company, the maker of coca cola brand. They described the annual grassroots football event as an excellent platform for developing the youth and game of football in the country.
One of the parents, who is also the mother of the former Flying Eagles midfielder, Kenneth Omeruo, Justina Omeruo believe the competition would bring back the lost glory of Nigeria’s football. She charged the players to take the opportunity being offered them by the sponsor and take their destinies into their own hands. “My son, Chinedu Omeruo has been looking for this kind of opportunity. I am very happy with Cola-Cola for what they are doing for the youth and Nigerian football because it will help bring back the lost glory in Nigerian football. My advice for the players is that they should not relent in their efforts towards being the best. They should see this as an opportunity that may never come their way and grab it with two hands,” she said.
Another parent, Amaka Samuel, who spoke to LEADERSHIP SPORTS, said the tournament has given the youths a brighter future. “This is a great opportunity for the youth and indeed, there is a brighter future ahead for these young boys because the whole world is watching and from here they can go places,” she said.
In the keenly contested final, Team Abuja beat Team Kano 1-0 to emerge the Zone D Copa Coca Cola Youth Football Championship champion. The side captained by Chinedu Omeruo will now join other zonal winners at the National final to be held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos on May 27. The tournament’s technical committee comprising of former Super Eagles players will select 26 players from all the participating teams to represent Nigeria at the Copa Coca Cola Africa championship coming up in South Africa later this year.
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