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From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
Former coach of the Super eagles and ex international, Finidi George did not disappoint his fans as he found the back of the net twice in a three-goal thriller novelty match against Hope Rising Stars in Ogbor Uvuru, Aboh Mbaise Imo State at the weekend.
His teammate, Daniel Amokachi ‘the bull’ got the third goal at the dying minutes of the first half. All the goals of the former Super Eagles players captained by Segun Odegbami were scored in the first half of the game.
Finidi’s goal reminded his fans of his usual dazzling performance as he got a loose ball from Amokachi, dribbled the goalkeeper before slotting it into the net. His second goal was an assist from Mutiu Adepoju, he made a solo run with it and mesmerized the goalkeeper before scoring .
Amokachi got the third goal of the match with a nice cross from Victor Ikpeba and good shot that left the goalkeeper dazed at the centre of the post.
The home team took the pressure to the legends afterwards and their effort paid off when the captain of the team, Success Akagburuonye snatched a loose ball from Moses Kpakpor inside the penalty box and had great shot to give his team the consolation goal.
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Odegbami who came in the second half of the match complimented the efforts of Finidi but his efforts were not enough to give them another goal. Samson Siasia, Ifeanyi Udeze, Sylvanus Okpalla, Austin Eguavoen, Uche Okechukwu and Clement Temile also proved their worth in the game. Ike Shorunmu was in goal for the legends.
Speaking after the match on his consolation goal, excited Akagburuonye said “I feel accomplished, it’s a dream come true , I’ve been aspiring to meet these people to bring them for my people to touch them with my pillar of support (referring to his wife) Ugwudi na Alaigbo, my dream also came true as I scored against Ike Shorunmu.
Also, another member of his team Alex Ubaka Achebe who flew in from London because of the match has voted the man of the match but handed to Akagburuonye “I came in as a second half substitute, in football man of the match is leadership, what he does on the field, not by how many touches or runs, so the man of the match is the celebrant, Chief Akagburuonye, first attempt and second attempt he scored.”
Finidi relishing his goal said “It’s a novelty match and we enjoyed ourselves, we still have the knowledge but the fitness is not there, those qualities you will not loose them just fitness that goes away, if I get those opportunities again definitely I will score.”
The novelty match was in honour of Chief Success Akagburuonye, the billionaire Estate developer on his 60th birthday celebration.
