Coal City Football Legends Set For Inauguration, Launch U-18 Football Tournament

CHUKA UBAH

The Coal City Football Legends Association, a body of all retired footballers that were born, raised or played football in the Coal City of Enugu, has launched an Under-18 Football tournament for the purpose of discovering and nurturing young talents in Enugu. 

The first edition of the competition kicked off on 16th August, 2021 at the ‘Football Cathedral’, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu. 

According to a release signed by a member of the Media Committee of the Association, Olisemeka Obi, nine teams are participating in the maiden edition of the tournament and they have been divided into 2 groups. 

He quoted a member of the Local Organising Committee, Mr. Phinan Ozonweke, a one-time player and captain of Enugu Rangers, as saying that the Enugu State Football Association is partnering with the CCFLA as Technical Partners for the competition.

The participating teams are Young Stars FC, Asata Utd FC, Golden Stars Fc, and Lionnaires FC. Others are Evergreen FC, Diego Youth Club Fc, Disdevt In Afrik FC, Purple Krown FC and Okigwe Utd FC. 

He also added that the winners of the tournament will receive the sum of N200, 000 aside a trophy. The first runners-up will get N150,000 while the 3rd placed team will have N100,000. All the 9 teams in the tournament are fully kitted by the Coal City Football Legends Association. 

Over the weekend, the four semi-finalists emerged after the conclusion of group matches. The Semi-Final pairing will have Purple Krown FC face Evergreen FC while Golden Stars will confront Young Stars FC. The Finals of the tournament will be played on 27th August, 2021.

In another development, the Coal City Football Legends Association will hold her inauguration and Gala Nite on 27th August, 2021, at the Bon Sunshine Hotel, Independence Layout, Enugu.

Information from the Nigeria Administrator of the Association and a member of the Organizing Committee, Mr. Eva Asedu (a.k.a Nobodoa), highlighted that the event will attract members of the association both from within and outside Nigeria. 

“This inauguration will be a great reunion and home coming for most all the people that played football and lived in the Coal City.” 
Mr. Asedu also added that the event will be used to honour some of the coaches that helped to nurture players in Enugu in the from the early 80s.

Some of the coaches to be honoured include Christian Chukwu (MON), Dominic Nwobodo, Coach Makason and Innocent Abana. Others are Innocent Obiekwo, Omo Oyaa, Awila Nwosu, Luke Okpala, Eto Amaechina among others.

The dignitaries expect at the event are the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Senator Frank Ibezim from Imo State, the Minister for State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba among others.

The Chairman of the day will be Emperor Chris Baywood Ibe.  Other activities of the day will be the Public Presentation of and launching of ‘The Legend Magazine’ and the donation and presentation of books and shelves to 10 privates schools in Enugu by Ex-International, Emma Okocha. 

There will also be display of the book ‘I Choose America’ written by Ikem Udeh, a member of the Association based in the USA.