Football fans at Obazuwa Primary School, Ovia North East Council, Edo State, at the weekend, were taken back to the good old days of Nigerian football, when Stephen Keshi Football and Vocational Skill Training Centre mobilised a galaxy of retired stars to play in honour of their late grand patron, Prince Edun Akenzua.
The novelty match, according to the Keshi Skill Centre, was organised to show their last respect for the Enogie of Obazuwa, who joined his ancestors recently.
Some of the football greats that graced the occasion were ex-international and former player and coach of Bendel Insurance FC, Baldwin Bazuaye (MON), Clement Okoye of New Nigeria Bank FC fame, former BCC Lions of Gboko defence strongman, Owens and ex-Edo Queens and Falcons star Otasowie Ogbonmwan.
Others were NNB FC and Super Eagles’ former star, Bright Omokaro, Peter Obanor, Greg Ikhenoba and Stanley Osazee.
Also in the game were Austin Iyamu, a former Bendel Insurance goalkeeper and former NNB FC winger, Austin Popo, who is also secretary of the centre.
Chairman, Edo Sports Commission, Yussuf Alli and the state’s Football Association boss, Roland Abu, also graced the occasion.
In the game watched by football enthusiasts from within Edo and neighbouring states, Bazuaye opened scoring for Team Obazuwa just two minutes after kick off, but Sunday Black replied with a brace for Team Stephen Keshi.
Bazuaye also struck a brace to make it 3-2 and put his side in front again.
On resumption of the second half, Black tied the game at 3-3, but the celebration was short lived, as Ex-falcons star, Ogbonmwan, increased the tally for Team Obazuwa to lead it 4-3.
The game was to change later with Bazuaye striking again to give his side a 5-3 victory.
Speaking after the match, the chairman, SKFVC, Dr. Louis Brown Ogbeifun, described the late Prince Akenzua as a strong pillar and father, who demonstrated true friendship and love towards ex footballers and the game of football.
He said: “We decided to play for our late royal father, who graciously gifted a parcel of land measuring 1000 ×1000 for the Stephen Keshi Football and Vocational Skill Centre in Obazuwa.
“When we were planning how to immortalise late Stephen Keshi, the late Enogie of Obazuwa willingly gave the big parcel of land for free. That is why the array of ex-internationals are here to play in his honour for free.”
The host, Crown Prince Agharese Akenzua, who watched the game and later entertained the visitors in his palace, commended the ex-footballers and the centre’s management for travelling from far and near to honour his late father in style.
He promised to continue with his father’s legacy, assuring that the healthy relationship between the royal family and the Keshi Foundation under his father will not change under him.
