MAIDUGURI – Baby Rangers FC of Maiduguri on Sunday won the maiden Borno Peace and Unity Cup competition for amateur football clubs in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Baby Rangers defeated the Amour FC also of Maiduguri 5-3 in the final played at the El-Kanemi Warriors Sports Centre Maiduguri.
The match ended 1-1 at regulation time before Baby Rangers won 4-2 on penalties to lift the cup.
The Chief Coach of Baby Rangers, Haruna Audu, attributed his victory to hard work and dedication, saying that “my boys deserved to win the cup because they trained hard.
“It is sad that we could not win at the end of the regulation time because my boys had problems of anxiety, ” Audu said.
He said that he planned to keep the players together for some time to enable them to blend for future competitions.
“I think that the boys have lots of potential, so, I plan to make sure that they play together for some time for future competitions.
“I believe some of them have the talent to become players of El-Kanemi Warriors FC in the nearest future,” Audu said.
Reacting, the Secretary, Borno Football Association, Babagoni Grema, said the competition was organised with the aim of discovering talents at the grassroots for grooming into future stars.
“The championship was organised to celebrate the return of peace in Maiduguri metropolis and to reward the youth for their efforts in keeping the peace,” Grema said.
He said 24 clubs featured in the competition which started in May with the elimination stages.
“I think the FA has achieved the aim of organising the competition going by the large turnout of participants and supporters.
“I appeal to individuals and corporate organisations to partner with us by sponsoring similar competitions,” Grema said. (NAN)
