By Adeyinka Adeniran
Again, 12 Strong Football Club of Abuja has retained the trophy for the second consecutive time after emerging the winner of MerryBet5Stars Premier League 2023 season.
The two timer winner defeated Obodo Starlights FC (Warri) in the finals with two goals to one
The club emerged for the finals from a four regions semi finals after they edged out Futsal FC (Ibadan) in one of the semis.
In the other semi finals, Obodo starlights FC (Warri) had earlier defeated Sizoko FC (Lagos) via a penalty after playing goalless draw at full time to qualify for the final.
The finals which was played at the Onikan stadium, Lagos Island was watched by the Vice Chairman, Lagos State Football Association Hajj Gafar; Abba Yusuf Bichi a former Nigeria U-17 player; Mr Lekan Giwa Representative of Head of Marketing, Mr Dayo Akinnusi, representative of the Human Resources MerryBet and the Vice President Ikorodu City FC, Mr Sanmi Doherty among others.
The Kick off of the final was done by Hajj Gafar and Abba Yusuf Bichi.
Speaking after the match, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), 5Stars Football, Mr Olumide Aturu said 5-7aside football is becoming a trend in Nigeria and other regions across Africa stressing the need for the government and other corporate agencies to join hands and harness the potentials in the sport.
He said “Truly, it has been a tough journey this season most especially the expansion from Abuja, Lagos into regions of Delta and Oyo states.
“We have seen the quality that each region bring to positively affect the development we seek in grassroots football.
“5-7aside is becoming a trend in Nigeria and other regions across Africa, it is very important that the government and other corporate agencies join hands with us to see how this variation can help the other tiers of Nigerian leagues.”
