Diamond football tournament lived up the hype and expectations of teams across the country who participated in the trials as the talent hunt came to an end on Friday ,with 6 surviving Teams in the tournament getting the chance to play against each other.
Diamond Academy defeated Nederland football club by 1-0,while Diamond B Team played against New Generation in what was adjudged the best match in the competition.
Muhammed Ibrahim’s brilliance 5 minutes into the game gave Diamond Academy B Team the lead as New Generation didn’t waste time to equalize.
The match advanced with Diamond scoring 4 goals against 2 by the new generation at the end .
Diamond Team B and Supreme Kings played the last game which Diamond won by a lone goal.
The Best Team in the tournament ,Diamond Academy first Team was rewarded with the cash prize of 100,000 naira for scoring 8 goals without conceeding any.
While,Muhammed Ibrahim received a Television set as the top scorer in the tournament with 6 goals, and the most valuable player,Nnamdi Ekwegha got a Refrigerator same as Ebuka Nwokocha who emerged the best goalkeeper.
David Isah recieved a Rechargeable Fan as the Best midfielder, Nwokocha Ezekwem made it as the Best Defending and got a Rechargeable Fan, again,the most utility player award went to Emmanuel Ugoala .
Apugo said, “I have no regrets because it is my passion to develop talents,in Diamond Academy,we have coaches who came from Europe and Nigeria National Team”.
“You have no excuse to perform even at the world football stage as a player “
The President of the Club .Hon Martin Apugo expressed excitement that his efforts and dream in building the Academy with the sole purpose of discovering talents from the streets within his locality and across Nigeria is paying in terms of youth development in the areas of football.
He said that football is his passion while he promised that he will continue to do more in order to give upcoming stars the opportunity to excel in Nigeria National Team and Europe.
Speaking at the end of the tournament ,the Manchester United Senior Scout, Jonny Pieters, while presenting the gift items to some of the players, lauded the level of progress and impact of the Academy ,in terms of capacity biulding, He noted that Diamond Football Academy has raised the standard high with the exposure they give to the youths in Nigeria.
Mr pieters, felt impressed by the quality and skills showcased by few players of Diamond Football Academy and looked forward to a possible collaboration with the Academy.
“They are really the best in terms of quality ,i must said that i appreciated the three days and i understand how difficult it is in Nigeria”
“I saw few talents and i love the organization and quality in the team”.
Rev.Dr.Iyke Ejiaku, Jonny Pieters,Ifeanyi Apugo and Klay Ekeocha made presentation of the gift items to award winners in the tournament.
Diamond Football Academy have always organized the Diamond football tournament with the services of Coaches both in Europe and Nigerian National teams employed to train their players,as some of them now plies their trade in the European top football clubs.
