The Egyptian mini-football team has emerged the champion of the 2021 African Mini-football Cup of Nations after defeating Libya 1-0 in a tension-soaked finals, late on Saturday.
The second edition of the minifootbal AFCON was held from July 8 to 17 at the Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort Minifootball Stadium in Ibadan.
Egyptian forward, Ehab Taha, had won a dramatic late strike from a set-piece build-up by his team mate, Mahmoud Gamal, in the second half of the extra time.
According to reports, the tension-soaked finals earlier saw both teams fight very hard to a goaless draw in the regular time.
Mohammed Khamies of Libya won the best player of the tournament, while the Egyptian goalkeeper, Ali Gazal, cornered the best goalkeeper award.
The duo of Nigerian Kabiru Adeniji and Ghanaian Bernard Safou went home with highest goal scorer award having scored seven goals each in the tournament.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria minifootball team, which lost in the quarter finals to Ghana had secured the fifth African slot to the minifootball world Cup, having defeated Zambia 3-2 in a play-off.
Egypt, Libya, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Nigeria have qualified for the Minifootball World Cup at a yet to be named venue.
Prince Adeshina Araoye, the Chief Operating Officer of Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, expressed gratitude to the federal and state governments for the successful hosting of the competition.
Me Araoye attributed the success to the support and commitment of every member of the organising committee who gave their best to ensure hitch-free competition.
He maintained that the successful hosting of the 2021 Minifootball AFCON had shown the capability of the resort to host the minifootball world cup.
Me Araoye called on government at all levels and relevant stakeholders to support the development of the new initiative in minifootball in Nigeria.
“It has been great for us, it is a lot of preparation, it is a lot of work, it is a good sign to show that minifootball has come to stay.
“We encourage the federal and state governments as well as other stakeholders to support this new initiative.
“This is another opportunity to engage our teeming youths and solve unemployment in Nigeria,” he said.
He said though the hosting right of the minifootball World cup had not been given to the country, but it had already proved it had the facilities to host it.
According to him, we have the logistics and manpower to host any competition, even the world cup if it is given to us.
“Minifootball is a new invention, in fact, this is just the second edition. It is not rooted here in Nigeria yet, but with the successful hosting of the tournament it means it has come to stay.
“We believe that a lot of stakeholders will find it more engaging and interesting and if the government buys into it, it is going to be a good thing for the nation,” said Araoye.
NAN