Awka – Twenty-nine football clubs will jostle for honours in the 2019 edition of Nero’s Pharmaceutical Anambra State Football Association (ASFA) Cup billed to begin on Saturday.
Jude Obikwelu, Vice-Chairman of ASFA, who disclosed this during the competition’s Draw in Awka on Thursday said the number of entries was an increase on that of 28 recorded in 2018.
He said matches in the competition, which would end on April 28, would be played at four venues across the state.
“These are the Rojenny Stadium in Oba, Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium in Nnewi, CKC field in Onitsha and Nero’s stadium in Nanka,’’ the ASFA official said.
Obikwelu said the competition, which he noted was worth N6 million in prizes, was being sponsored for the 12th time by Nero’s Pharmaceuticals.
He added that the competition’s prize money are N2 million, N1 million, N500,000 and N100,000 for clubs placed first, second, third and fourth respectively.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, going by the draws, the competition will kick off with the match between Udala FC and Rangels FC at Nero’s Stadium in Nanka.
FC IfeanyiUbah are the competition’s defending champions.
Speaking after the draw, Obikwelu urged the participating clubs to exhibit high level of professionalism, warning that the FA would adhere to the universal standards of the game.
He urged the teams to adhere strictly to time of matches to avoid walk-overs, adding that the FA was ready to stage the best competition ever.
“We are satisfied with the quality of clubs in the competition and we are also confident that the best club will emerge to represent the state creditably at the national stage.’’
Also speaking, Collins Obiefuna, Chairman of the Anambra State Referees Council, assured clubs of fair officiating during the competition.
“Anambra has some of the best referees in the country and we assure clubs of the best officiating.
“But I am appealing to all participating clubs that they should concentrate on playing football and not officiate at the same time,’’ he said.(NAN)