The semi finals of the Inter-security Agencies Football Tournament has come and gone but the memories of the wits and grits displayed by the semi finalists can’t be forgotten. The Opening match for the day between Immigration Fc and Army Fc (Rhino), saw both sides testing each other for size but it was the riotous Rhinos that got the curtain raiser in the 18th min when James Omoke latched on to a pass from the midfield to beat the on rushing Mutbish Ayuba in goal for Immigration. There were afterwards many misses from both side though the Army defence curtailed many of the attacks of the opposition as their keeper was virtually on holiday as the first half ended with the slim lead.On resumption of the second half, the Immigration team in the 52 min put pressure that rattled the Army defence in what would have been an equaliser but was cleared on the goal line. However, in the 60th min, the Army through a counter-attack through the right wing by David Peter, who brought in a cross that met James Omoke,who coolly slots it in for his second goal of the day. The resultant efforts of the Immigration paid off in the 70th min when Bala Muhammad of Army handled the ball in the 18 yard box and Sati Daanan wasted no time to convert from the penalty spot. When they thought that goal could spur them on to get an equaliser, the Army in the 75th min got a throw in by Thompson Thorgine which was headed in by Haruna Samson for their third and final goal which sealed their qualification into the final. Speaking to ssimedia247.com.ng after the match, Coach Monday Essiet of Army, gave God the glory and honour for the win and qualification, as he also appreciated the GOC 3 Div, who was supposed to be around for the semi final but could not make it. The Coach also commended the players for their dedication and cooperation. Coach Monday stated that ” first of all we give God the glory because, we handed the tournament to Him and he has led us so far.Also, the dedication is to the Late COAS,Lt Gen Taoheed Lagbaja,who we promise to lift the trophy for him and I want to salute our GOC for all the support and we are assuring him and our fans in the barrack that we’ll bring the trophy for them”. However, on his own, Coach Duba Naayong of the Immigration commended the PFA Chairman, Hon Dr Suleiman Kwande, for the wonderful idea of bringing all the security agencies together. He also thanked the Comptroller of Immigration, players for their dedication and selflessness, Staff and fans. The Coach then assured them of getting the bronze medal. The second match of the day lived up to its bidding as the Police Ambassadors and Operation Rainbow slugged it out showing tactical and soccer artistry to the admiration of fans but it was the highest goal scorer so far in the tournament with 12 goals, Jackson Josiah who netted the first goal of the day in the 13th min without any resistance from the Operation Rainbow defence. Both teams went on in search of an equaliser and more as the search for the Police paid off in the 34th min when Abdulsalam Abdullahi lobs the ball over the on rushing keeper Benjamin Jwat who remained flat-footed and had no answer to it. The half ended with the Police two goals up. At the resumption of the second half, both teams pressed for more goals as both defence stood resolute without allowing goals go past them.Reacting to ssimedia247.com.ng, an elated Coach Habila James said ‘our secret has been God, the wisdom of the players to follow instructions with tactical discipline and God on our side we we’re able to win our matches and getting to the final,we’ll lift the trophy for our Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Adesina and the management staff: DCP(Adm), DCP(Ops & Training), ACP(Adm), ACP(Ops & Training), they have all been wonderful in their support.I also want appreciate all our DPO’s like Dpo A’Div, CSP Nicholas Dawani, who is also one of our player and the DPO Laranto, who has not missed any of our matches”.The captain of the side, Bala Peter also appreciated God for the success so far and commended all the DPO’s, the players and their fans.Coach of Operation Rainbow, Mallo Maren, poured praises to the PFA Chairman, Hon Dr Suleiman Kwande for the initiative in bringing the tournament to unite all security agencies on the Plateau. The results for the semi finals are:*Immigration Fc (1) Vs Army Fc (3)*Police Ambassadors (2) Vs Op Rainbow (0).Third place and the final comes up on Saturday 7th Dec, 2024.Credit: Nathaniel Mobolade,Jos
