Excel deserves to win NNPC/Shell Cup 2016, says Joseph

Most Valuable Player (MVP) of this year’s All Nigeria Secondary Schools Football Championship called NNPC/Shell Cup, Tari Joseph, believes his school, Excel Education Centre, Port Harcourt, deserves to win the trophy.
This year’s final, the 18th edition, took place at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
“We worked very hard for this final and we were determined to go home with the trophy. We were not surprised that we won at the end of the day,” he said.
Excel defeated FOSLA Academy, Abuja 3-2 to win the championship for the first time.
Joseph opened scores in the 18th minute with a superb shot that wrong footed FOSLA keeper, Abdulganiyu Abdulazeez.
However, the ovation hardly died down when Japhet Rawlings levelled for FOSLA in the 20th minute from a defensive blunder by Excel.
Kelvin Aamdi scored another goal for Excel seven minutes to the end of the first half.
On resumption of the second half, FOSLA piled pressure but it was Excel that netted again through Joseph, his second in the match to put scores at 3-1.
With time running out, FOSLA continued the attack and was rewarded when the centre referee spotted an infringement in the penalty box.
The resultant penalty kick was neatly taken by Abraham Solomon for FOSLA’s second goal to end the highly contested encounter 3-2 in favour of Excel.
Earlier in the day, Government Science Secondary School, Darazo, Bauchi State had defeated Asegun Comprehensive High School, Ibadan, Oyo State 4-3 to win the third place match.
Medals and trophies were presented to the best four teams as well as individual awards to some players.
Obinna Onyia of Excel was adjudged the Best Keeper of the championship, Andrew Onyeke of FOSLA won the Best Defender award. Isamil Ahmad of Government Science Secondary School was picked as the Best Midfielder.
Leke Fatinikun of Asegun Comprehensive High School emerged Best Player, Joseph MVP.
With seven goals to his credit, Solomon won the Highest Goals Scorer award.
Two players, Kelvin Amadi (Excel) and Joseph Ejeh (FOSLA), were picked by the coaches of Rotterdam Football Academy, the Netherlands for a year’s training at the Academy.
Asegun Comprehensive High School went home with N400,000 for its sports development; each of its 20 players N35,000 for placing fourth.
Third place winners, Government Science Secondary School, received N500,000 for its sports development; each of its 20 players N40,000.
FOSLA got N1.4 million for its sports development; each of its 20 players N45, 000 for placing second.
Champion Excel received N2.5 million for its sports development; each of its 20 players N50,000.