A FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT WON BY MY COMMUNITY, AJAPA BY @hibrighto

INTRODUCTION

Football is a game being played by ten outfield players and a goalkeeper. Football matches are played for rewards, entertainment, friendship, and unity. Today I want to share a story about a football tournament played a while ago between my community, Ajapa and other communities in Ilaje land, hosted by Pastor John Kolade. My community is the only different community by tribe because of a tribal conflict they had certain time and for that reason other communities of the same tribe with mine are scared to participate when invited.

                 MATCH DAY 1

On match day 1 of the much anticipated tournament my community has had enough training was set for the match day of the tournament. We traveled by boat to Igbonla, the host community. And on our arrival we were welcomed warmly and that gave us confidence and reason to believe that they had really put the conflict behind them. Expectedly we won our first match 2-1 against our opponent, a community called Idiogba.

Below is a picture with the host
Screenshot_20220410-073941.png

                MATCH DAY 2

On match day 2 we are to play Ipare community and by boat as usual we traveled to the host community with smile on our faces and the belief to win the match. Fair enough we played out a 2-2 draw that keeps us in a better position to qualify for the next stage which is the quarter final stage. Our opponent congratulated us because they felt we have already qualified. It was a very wonderful experience, people you deemed as monsters are now in front of you shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries with you.
Ajapa mationa team match day squad

MATCH DAY 3

On match day 3 we traveled to the host community as usual by boat and unfortunately our opponent did not show up for a reason best known to them and the tournament committee. We were asked to do work over by that we were told by the center referee to play direct ball just like free kick into the assumed opponent's net three times which our captain did and we were awarded 3points and 3goals, that made us qualified for the quarter final against Oroto community. Below is a picture of our opponent lineup:

And Ajapa national team lineup:

            THE QUARTER FINAL

In the quarter final we are to play Oroto community. We arrived the venue as early as 3pm because we learnt that the kickoff was 5pm. Players from both team started warming up. The intensity was high and we were really nervous. We had few our fans right in from of us compared to their large number. But interestingly the match ended goal less after extra time, both teams are set for the must penalty kick. Luckily their third player hit the crossbar and the match ended 5-4 in our favour.

THE PENALTY SHOOT OUT OF THE QUARTER FINAL

      SEMIFINAL

Unfortunately, we were to play Igbonla the host community in the semifinal of the tournament. On our arrival they started singing victory songs so our supporters. Lineups were announced and players started warming up for the match as kickoff was 4:30pm Nigeria time. The match started exactly aforementioned time, on the 13th minute our number eleven, named ENDURANCE drive down forward and took on two defenders he dribbled past one and wanted shoot but he doesn't and again drive down to the edge of the box and took a lovely curved shot, football fans regarded as R2 to the left top side of the net and supporting fans echoed a thunderous GOOAAL. My community won the match by that lone goal.

                       THE FINAL

Here comes the long awaited final between Ajapa Football Team and Mahin Football Team, all players are set on the pitch. Kickoff was 4pm Nigeria time. The first half ended 1-1 draw. The second half was a goal less draw, after a short break they went into extra time which also ended goal less. The winner has to be decided by penalty kick. Their first player missed and our fourth player missed and again their last player missed, our last player has to score for us to win he stands in front of the ball with so much confidence and sent the keeper to the wrong side. We were announced winners and the cup was given to us. Victory songs and excitement everywhere. Indeed football unite people who are in conflict.
The host and the champions of PASTOR JOHN KOLADE'S CUP