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•As Chukwumba Unity Cup, Fada Iroh tourney enter semis
It has been a festival of football in Chokoneze community in Ezinihitte Local Government Area of Imo State, with several tournaments and novelty matches lined up as part of celebration of the Yuletide.
While football fans have been enjoying exciting football matches since December 7, expectations for the December 29 Chokoneze All Stars novelty match have reached fever-pitch.
A member of the Organising Committee, Austin Ugboaja (aka Penny) disclosed that no fewer than 60 ex-footballers have indicated interest to feature in the game. These include indigenes as well as those who grew up in Chokoneze and played for the community at one time or the other. He said one must be 45 years and above to feature in the novelty match.
“It promises to be a parade of old stars who represented Chokoneze in football tournaments in the past. We have over 60 ex-players who have indicated interest to be part of this historic event. We are expecting people from across the world, including America, Europe, Lagos, and other parts of Nigeria to return home for the event.
“We plan to make it a fun-filled reunion. We’ve made adequate arrangements for entertainment. There will be food and drinks with music and other side attractions”, he said.
Meanwhile, the Chukwumba Unity Cup for Ward 12 Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA, Imo State, which kicked off on December 7, has entered the semifinal stage. In the first semifinal, scheduled for Saturday, December 27, at Central School Chokoneze football pitch, Umueze Football Club will lock horns with Umuchoko Football Club, while Owutu Football Club will square up against Ife Football Club in the second semifinal fixture the following day, at the same pitch. Kick off time for both matches is 3.30pm. The third place and final matches will be decided on January 4, 2026.
Also, the semifinal matches of the Fada Emmanuel Iroh football tournament, to commemorate his 20th priestly ordination anniversary, will be decided on January 1 and 2, 2026. The tournament kicked off on December 14, 2025.
In the first semifinal, Ndiuhu FC will tackle Umuajala FC on January 1, 2026, at Central School Chokoneze football pitch, as from 3.45pm, while Umunakwata FC and Eluama FC will clash in the second semifinal on January 2, 2026. The losers in the semis will play for the third place prize, on January 3, at 8.45am, while the winners will exchange fireworks for the top prize, in the final, at 3.45pm, same day.
