Issele-Uku school leads 25 others to Zenith/Delta Headmasters’ Cup zonal play-offs

Ogbe-Utu Primary School, Issele-Uku, is among 25 schools that have qualified for the Zenith Bank/Delta Headmasters’ Cup zonal play-offs following the conclusion of the preliminary round.

The developmental football fiesta organised for all primary schools in Delta State is sponsored by Zenith Bank Plc.

The preliminaries started on September 30 with 378 registered schools competing for honours in all the local councils in the state.

Other schools that are through to the zonals include Royal Foundation School, Ngbile Primary School, Kiagbodo, Uduaka Primary School, Oghara, Abraka Memorial Primary School, Abraka, Zenith Rock Primary School, Asaba, Makpa Primary School, Oginibo, Ogidi Primary School, Agholoma, Owa Model Primary School, Owa, Peakrise Academy, Agbor, Bovi Primary School, Ozoro, Okpolo Primary School, Ogbe Primary School, Effurun, Ojomba Primary School, Koko and Pessu Primary School, Warri.

In some of the final games, Ogbe-Utu Primary School defeated Ozor Primary School 1-0 in the Aniocha North Council final in which 18 schools participated, while Royal Foundation School also defeated Olloh Ogwashi-Olloh 1-0 to emerge tops in the Aniocha South Council, which had six registered schools.

Owa Primary School defeated Umuocha Primary School, Akumazi-Umuocha, 3-0, to win the Ika North East Council contest, which had nine teams and Paekrise Academy, Agbor, emerged tops among 15 other contestants after beating Nosiere Primary School 4-1 in the final.

The Delta State Commissioner for Primary School Education, Chika Ossai, said the competition would get more exciting as the teams move towards the finals.

“We expect more skills and fantastic display from the boys as we approach the crucial stages. The preliminaries were keenly contested in all the LGs. This is so interesting,” Ossai said.

Eight teams are expected to emerge from the 25 Council qualifiers to move into the quarterfinal stage of the competition.