Okigwe Zonal Unity Cup 2025 Concludes with Enthusiasm as Mbano Club Side Lifts Trophy

…Ejiogu assures more support for sporting activities, talent discovery

The beauty of sporting activities which include love for the round-leather game, passion, entertainment, sportsmanship, friendship, and unity among others were in full display on Saturday, January 3, 2026, as the grand finale of the 2025 Edition of Okigwe Zonal Unity Cup— an annual football fiesta single-handedly sponsored by Chief Duru Mike Ejiogu, was played between FC Ovation of Obowo LGA and Brighter Warriors of Ehime Mbano LGA at the Old Stratford Stadium, Anara Central School, Isiala Mbano local government area of Imo State.

With approximately two thousand sports lovers, football enthusiasts, okada riders, passers-by, hawkers, keke drivers, youths across Okigwe zone and spectators alike—were all gathered at the field for the grand finale to watch the match between the two club sides; professionally officiated with a pulsating and entraining tone similar to what is obtainable in an European UEFA Championship.

Quite engaging, enthralling , and entertaining with zesty, the players put in their best displaying football skills of ball control , dribbling , passing, heading, and shooting, combined with advanced techniques like the Maradona turn, C- Ronald’s leg- overs, Lionel Messi’s step-overs and speed, and efficient movement off the ball, all supported by physical attributes like balance and decision – makinng to create fluid play and scoring opportunities.

These are the true targets of the annaul football tournament organised by Ejiogu, to discover raw talents, groom them into professional footballers and expose them, before creating an opportunity for both national and international trials.

The first 90 minutes of the game ended in a goalless draw after regulation period, resulting in a penalty shout-out with 5 – to -4 goals against FC Ovation of Obowo LGA.

Announcing the results, Chairman of the Central Organizing Committee —Hon. Ben Onyedikachi Duru —decalred that the Brighter Warriors of Ehime Mbano LGA won the trophy with a prize of Seven Million Naira (N7M) while the FC Ovation of Obowo LGA , came 2rnd Position with a Prize of Four Million Naira (N4M). Hon. Ben Duru also added that the 3rd Position went home with Two Million and Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N2.5 M) , Future Legends of Ihitte Uboma had Two Million and Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N2.5M). The Dynamic Stars of Okigwe received One Million Naira (N1M).

Best Coach is Mr. Ngofor Chidozie from Okigwe while the Most Disciplined Team is Dynamic Stars of Okigwe, also award of Best Goalkeeper for the tournament is Mr Onyeahualam Eugene, the Best Team Manager for the tournament, Mr. Chucks Oliver from Future Stars of Ihitte Uboma, the Highest Goal Scorer is Nwoha Paul Chibuzor, while the last is the Most Vauable Player of the tournament is Mr. Udesanya Ohanaka. Every team that fully participated in the tournament went home with consolation prizes.

The annual football tournament tagged: ” Mike Ejiogu Okigwe Zonal Unity Cup” which kick-started at the Ihitte Uboma Council Stadium, Isinweke, on Saturday, October 4, 2025, attracted football lovers, sports enthusiasts, and personalities drawn from Imo North Senatorial District and beyond during the three months of the football tournament.

A compassionate leader and champion of youth empowernment; sole- sponsor of the Twenty Five Million Naira (N25,000.000.00) Okigwe Zonal Unity Cup, Ejiogu has set a new standard for football tournaments and talents haunt in Imo State by sustaining this laudable scio- economic and empowernment initiative through sports development , engaging seasoned football administrators: match officials , linesmen, referees, assistant referees, security agencies, medical team, and health workers who provide first aid, emergency response – to coordinate and supervise the annaul tournament since 2017.

Chairman, Citygate Homes, a leading real estate company in the federal capital territory, Abuja, Ejiogu, has continued to be a reference point for exemplary leadership, human capacity building, practical youth empowernment through job creations, business supports, sports development, talents discovery, and other socio- economic initiatives that have not only taken the youths off the streets but also put foods on the tables of many families.

Speaking with media consultant, Njoku Macdonald Obinna , shortly after the match, the sole- sponor of the N25M OKigwe Zonal a Unity Cup, Akuluno Duru Mike Ejiogu, said his driving force for the football tournament was to take the youths off the streets, discover young football talents, reduce idleness in the society, and also to creare opportunities and a better future for Okigwe and Imo youths.

According to him, “since the kick- off of the football tournament on October 4, 2025, there has not been any recorded incidence of crime, kidnapping, attack, or social vices in the area.”

Because the youths were busy using their spare time to watch the tournament while others played in the field.

Expanding the football competition horizon beyond Okigwe zone and sustaining same, Ejiogu said that plans are underway to extend it across Imo State in the future, which his company – Citygate Homes shall consider to sponsor.

Onowu Anara described the Championship as an opportunity for the youths and young talents, adding that everyone is a winner, and that is why each team that participated in the tournament had a prize based on performance.

He, however, noted that special prizes were given for the finalists (first and second positions).

He however, reaffirmed his commitment to sustaining the annual football competition, urging all participants to prepare for the 2026 Edition of Okigwe Unity Cup, advising the youths to channel their energy towards productive sports activities like this; shun crime, avoid drugs, and stay away from all forms of social vices that usually jeopardize their future and destroy their destines, and with a renewed hope assured of a better Imo in the next Democratic transition.

A former Super Eagles captain and ex-Chelsea player, Kennth Omeruo, expressed appreciation to Ejiogu for his philanthropic gestures and sponsorship of football development in Imo State.

Speaking with Njoku Macdonald Obinna at the Obi Udo palace of his host and sponor, Ejiogu, Omeuro, acknowledged Onowu Mike Ejiogu as a Boss and big brother in whom he is well pleased, expressing that no sacrifice is too big to make to show support and solidarity for Ejiogu as he flew into Imo – Nigeria from Spain for the singular purpose of honoring as a special guest at his football tournament, trusting God that future stars would be discovered through this football talents haunt.

In the same vein, Chairman of the Imo State Football Association, Barr. Ifeanyi Dike, commended Mike Ejiogu for sustaining the football competition since 2017; maintaining that it is no small feat in football community, while urging other well meaning football enthusiasts and sports lovers to emulate Ejiogu to invest in football to create a better society.

The grand finale of the 2025 Edition of Okigwe Zonal Unity Cup as sponsored by Ejiogu was a mix of enthusiasm and renewed hope, showing the players’ brilliance, incredible spirit of sportsmanship, masterful performances that left football lovers breathless, ultimate test of energy; one of resilence and pride not just to play for the N25M cash prize, but also to represent a community and her culture of hardwork and discipline.