Benin – The Deputy Governor of Edo, Philip Shaibu, on Monday led the state male football team to win the gold medal at the ongoing 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) in Benin.
In the match, Edo bounced back from a two-goal deficit to defeat the Lagos team 3-2 in the final at the main bowl of the University of Benin Stadium Complex.
Hassan Akinkunmi put the Lagos team ahead in the 10th minute of play while Chisio Orji extended the lead in the 19th minute to silence the hosts’ cheering fans.
Solomon Usia, however, reduced the tally for Edo in the 20th minute before first half substitute Godwin Chukwu levelled up for the hosts before the break.
Meyiwa Samuel scored from the penalty kick spot in the second half to give Team Edo the winning goal.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stadium was filled to brim for the match graced by Amos Adamu, erstwhile director of the now-dissolved National Sports Commission (NSC).
Shaibu, who was a registered player for the football event, came in three minutes into the end of the match when the captain’s band was handed over to him.
The win secured the second gold medal for Edo from the football event as their female team had earlier beaten Lagos by a lone goal in the women’s category.
Reacting to the victory, the deputy governor who is also the Chairman of the festival’s Local Organising Committee (LOC) said the team’s commitment and doggedness led them to the victory.
He said he was delighted to have led the team to victory just as he commended Gov. Godwin Obaseki for his support for sports development in the state.
