Olaoluwa Aro
The newly elected Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Chairman of Chairmen, Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf 'Fresh' has saluted the efforts of the Unity Preseason Tourney organizers, for putting together a successful preseason event, in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
EFCC of Abuja emerged champions of the tournament, as they walked tightly against Nasarawa United to lift the trophy of the second edition of the annual Preseason Tournament.
The second edition of the Unity Preseason Tournament has been described as one of highly competitive football showpiece in the North Central, owing to the fact that, top clubs in Nigeria Professional Football League ( NPFL) and Nigeria National League ( NNL), within the circuit of this Geopolitical zone, have made it a point of reference, for preparing themselves, ahead of the new season(s) respectively.
In a telephone conversation with Comrade Ahmed Yusuf, who was obviously busy with other grassroots engagement in his state, but distantly monitored almost 75% of all the games at this year’s edition of Unity Preseason event.
Fresh euphorically maintains his commitment toward the Unity Cup project, while hailing the idea behind the event, as he shared his views on the event.
" Unity Preseason Tourney is platform for Nigerian clubs through which opportunities are provided to test the readiness of the new players and equally asses them. I followed all the updates from the beginning and I am confident, the purpose of this preseason tournament is being achieved without hyperbole" he noted but continued by saying;
" The organizers sought for my contributions and I picked up the Medical aspect, because that area is usually neglected in organization of football event.
“It's noteworthy to make Medical personnel services available at Match venues, even though, no body prays for a mishap but as someone who organizes grassroot events, I don't pay less regard to the Medical units, so that the entire Football program wouldn't be stained with an emergency, and to avoid anything that can vitiate it as well" he said, while cogently explaining his unavailability at the finals.
" I was invited to watch one of the Quarter final matches on Thursday but I rain-check it because of the final but painfully, I didn't grace this year's final as I had to join other NFF's executives at Ibadan on national assignment, " said the Former NFF Technical and Development Committee Chairman.
This year's edition of Unity Preseason Tourney had four groups with 13 teams and matches were played at two venues, which are Area 10 football pitch and Area 3 as well.
The final of the second edition was between Nasarawa United, one of the Nigeria Professional Football League Sides( NPFL) and EFCC of Abuja, a household name amongst the Nigeria National League ( NNL) Teams in North Central.
The Solid Miners lost 4-3 on penalties to the Anti graft Agency Football team after normal duration ended in a one all draw.
Historically, Nasarawa United lost two consecutive finals of the Unity Preseason Tournament since the birth of the competition. In 2021, Plateau United defeated the Lafia-based team by lone goal.
