Dona Stars of Abia State yesterday opened their account at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) U17 Peace Cup on a winning note following a tight 2-1 win over Kifa FC of Ondo in the opening game of the competition being organised by Grassroot Sports Federation of Nigeria (GRASOF).
The tournament which kicked off yesterday at the Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi Uku at 1pm, saw Christian Sunday scoring the earliest goal so far, finding the back of the net in the 4th minute but the resilient Ondo side levelled up seven minutes later through winger Sowade Daniel.
Chinemerem Eze, however, scored the winning goal for Dona Stars in the 17th minute of the lively encounter.
The curtain raiser was alter followed by the opening ceremony at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba in the presence of top officials of the NDDC, the Niger Delta Ministry, former Internationals and football stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the screening of players have been concluded with several players disqualified due to age discrepancies which subsequently reduced the number of registered players to execute the competition
The screening was followed by the draws, where Diamond Stars of Cross River, Campus FC of Imo, New Evangel of Bayelsa and Caravans Football Academy of Akwa Ibom will battle for the two top spot from Group A1, as El-Godz FC of Abia, Excellent Academy of Edo, Genesis FC of Rivers and Delta Force of Delta will battle in Group A2.
In Group B1, Kifa FC of Ondo, One Stars of Edo, Dona Stars of Abia, Delta United of Delta and Progress FC of Rivers will be trade tackles, while Dynamic SPMD of Akwa Ibom, Ever Bright FC of Imo, Safe Side FC off Cross River and Future Dynamics of Bayelsa State, will battle in Group B2.
Four centres will host the competition – Delta State Polytechnic Ogwuashi Uku with two centres, Jay Jay Okocha Stadium Ogwashi Uku, and the Adaigbo Secondary School field, Ogwashi Uku
The finals is slated for the 18th December at the famous Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.