As Aboh, Ahiazu Mbaise clash with 3-3 draw.
By Kelechi Ugo
It was a harvest of soccer talents at Chioma Ajunwa Sports Complex in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State on Saturday 9th November, 2024 as Mbaise Top Seed Club kicked-off football tournament to commemorate their rich cultural festival holding on 24th December this year.
The line-up of teams for the tournament are from the three Local Governments of Mbaise nation; Aboh, Ahiazu and Ezinihitte Football Clubs.
Interestingly, Aboh FC and Ahiazu FC clashed during the kick-off in a captivating 90 minutes encounter which ended in a 3-3 goals draw.
Ahiazu FC lead by 3 goals to 1 at half time while Aboh Mbaise FC thrilled the spectators by scoring 2 goals to equalize the match.
In a swift reaction the special guest, Dr. Frank Ihekwoaba who kicked off the tournament, expressed happiness over the performances of both teams. Some of the dignitaries that attended the kick off includes the current, and immediate past members representing Aboh Mbaise State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Princewill Amuchie and Hon. Eddy Obinna. Also in attendance were Prof. Paul Mbakwe, Prof. Oliver Osuji, Prince Emeka Anyanwu, Barr. Ekeanyanwu representatives of Ezuruezu Mbaise, Nguru League and Oganihu Mbaise
Sir Tony Awusaku, a member of the club and event manager, expressed the readiness of Mbaise Top Seed Club to fish out talents that can make international soccer games.
Sir Awusaku stated that the Mbaise Cultural Carnival is the flagship project of Mbaise Top Seed Club and have lined up activities aimed at making the 2024 edition colourful and tourism-standard.
According to Sir Tony Awusaku, “the programme has officially kicked-off today, Saturday, the 9th of November, 2024 with this soccer match which the Diasporan members of the Club headed by Prince Chizom Ogbodudu and Emeka Nwachukwu are facilitating.
“The over all objective of the event is the sustainance of our cultural heritage, especially as it concerns traditional music and dance, like nmanwu (masquarade), abigbo, agborogwu, nkwa umunwanyi (women dance), ojionu and the rest.
“To enhance interest and expand audience, we have added the final match of our sponsored soccer tournament, to this year’s grand event.
“Also, we have identified two Mbaise Greats, for a special recognition during this year’s event, holding on Tuesday, the 24th of December, 2024. We believe this event will, annually, herald the Christmas, and our memorable ‘erigwara’ celebrations in the Mbaise Nation.
“Mbaise Top Seed Club, is an elite association of a select Mbaise sons, from diverse professions and, based in various cities across the world, home and abroad. Our Club is a non-profit organisation, dedicated to the upliftment and development of our ancestry in all its ramification.
“Beside our flagship project, we have, in few years now, undertaken philanthropic projects in schools, hospitals, and our communities. Distribution of educational materials, visiting hospitals and motherless babies homes, Farming support, Covid-19 interventions and palliative distributions are some of the projects we have undertaken.”