– By Ike Philip Abiagom
Trinity College, Ibusa, has emerged winners of the Obi Nwaokocha Okeze Foundation Secondary Schools Football Competition, breaking the long-standing dominance of government-owned schools in the annual tournament.
The historic victory came after a pulsating final against Omu Boys Secondary School at the St. Thomas’ College football field, Ibusa, where Trinity College triumphed 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
The final attracted a massive crowd of students, teachers, football fans, and community leaders who witnessed one of the most exciting editions of the competition in recent years.
Trinity College displayed confidence and attacking flair from the opening whistle, controlling much of the first half and deservedly taking the lead before the break. However, Omu Boys Secondary School responded strongly in the second half, leveling the score to keep their hopes alive and forcing the contest into penalties.
In the shootout, Trinity College showed remarkable composure, converting four of their penalty kicks, while Omu Boys failed to convert two attempts.
The final whistle sparked jubilant celebrations among Trinity players, supporters, and school officials who celebrated the school’s first-ever triumph in the competition.
As champions, Trinity College received the tournament trophy and a cash prize of ₦500,000, while Omu Boys Secondary School went home with ₦300,000 as runners-up.
Presenting the trophy, Dr. Patrick Adigwe, who represented the founder of the competition, Pastor Idowu Okeze, praised both teams for their discipline, resilience, and sportsmanship throughout the tournament.
He noted that the Obi Nwaokocha Okeze Foundation Football Competition was created to serve as a platform for discovering and developing young football talents at the grassroots level while encouraging students to maintain academic excellence.
According to him, the foundation remains dedicated to empowering youths through sports, education, and mentorship programmes designed to shape future leaders and professional athletes.
Over the years, the competition has grown into one of the biggest grassroots football tournaments among secondary schools in Delta State, bringing together schools across Ibusa and attracting widespread support from sports lovers and stakeholders.
The tournament forms part of the foundation’s vision to promote unity, youth engagement, and talent development through sports while giving young players the opportunity to pursue their football dreams alongside their education.
