Oka Akoko, the headquarter of Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State went agog as the curtain was drawn on Annual Akogun Football Competition.
Iwonrin Football Club emerged winner of the 5th edition of Akogun annual football competition after defeating Big Star Football Club of Agba Quaters, 6-5 on penalties. The match was decided at Ojomirin High School, Agba, Oka.
Ibaka FC defeated Owaaose 2 – 1 to clinch the bronze medal.
The Olubaka of Oka, Dr Yusuf Adeleye,OON Ex-Nigerian Super Eagles Goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, Members of the Ondo State Football Association led by the Vice Chairman, Borowa Gabriel were present as over 5000 spectators in the community watched the entertaining Final Match.
The first half ended in a stalemate as keepers of both teams kept their post tightly amidst different missed chances on goal. Oyinasho Anthony’s 89th minute strike into the net salvaged a draw for the Iwonrin FC to cancel out Olaniyan Rasheed’s 65th minute goal for Big Star FC
1-1, it ended after stoppage time proceeding to penalties as Iwonrin FC won 6 -5 to lift the 5th edition of the Akogun Annual football competition.
Speaking shortly after the match,Ex-Nigerian Super Eagles Goalkeeper, Peter Rufai reiterated that with the caliber of talents he has seen, the future of Nigeria in the football industry is bright. Rufai lauded Akogun Olugbenga Omole for keying into grassroot development saying he is fully ready to integrate the talents into his academy for upward review.
Organiser of the Competition, Akogun Olugbenga Omole said his main aim for the football competition is to see talents from his town ply their trades not only in Nigeria but beyond
The Olubaka of Oka, Oba Adeleye commended the organiser for his consistency in discovering talents in the community saying for more than 5 years he has been inviting Ex-Super Eagles Internationals to encourage talents in the town.
Trophy was later presented to the winners while participating teams smiled home with mouth watering cash prizes.
This year, Twenty clubs from the various quarters in Oka participated, making it the highest so far in the history of the competition.
Earlier, Arriving at Oka, Akoko,the first port of call was the palace of Olubaka who lauded Rufai for his instrumentality towards sports development in the grassroot and for representing Nigeria very well during his playing carrier.
The monarch honoured the Ex-Super Eagles International with a chieftaincy title,GBOBANIYI OF OKA LAND.