Slug: Khalifat Super League Exposes Imo As a bus stop for harvesting football talents

The on going maiden edition of Kun Khalifat 2021 Football Super League has exposed Imo State as the hub for football talents hunt in Nigeria.

The league which is parading 16 local football clubs with an affiliation name to renowned European clubs had her opening match Last Sunday with Inter National Milan FC putting on blue jersey while her opponent West Ham United FC dressed on ox blood coloured jersey.

The well attended match hosted at the spacious playing field of Bishop Lasberry Girls Secondary School,Irete near Owerri in Owerri West Local Government area of Imo State under Covid-19 directives guideline lived up to its bidding as the proprietor of Kun Khalifat FC and sponsor of the multi million Naira competition, Mr. Michael Amaefule of Obioha in Ahiazu Mbaise council area of Imo State systematically took the kick off amidst football fans, enthusiasts, supporters, politicians, Football stars and administrators among other cheering dignitaries.

The game lived beyond expectations as both teams exhibited professionalism, skills artistry and passion to excel even though they both missed litany of scoring chances. However, Isiguzo Uchechi, the goal keeper of Inter Milan made alot of saves and frustrated the goal thirsty of purposeful but aggressive West Ham United FC.

Interestingly and ironically, Mr. Amaefule (aka Kun Khalifan) never hid his emotions on his support and love for West Ham United FC, this became obvious on the 70th minute when West Ham ace striker mesmerized Inter Milan defensive wall and dented the goal savings prowess and records of Inter Milan Isiguzo Uchechi and craftily netted in the only goal of the match which made the excitement of Amaefule looks like a child play, as he jumped and moved from pillar to post showing excitement of happiness.

Earlier in his speech, Mr. Michael Amaefule said his essence of sponsoring the three weeks Super League as the matches are played on daily basis at the same venue starting from 2 pm each day is to afford talented players an appointment to excell in life reiterating that many local, national and foreign scouts have been detailed to watch the matches.

He passionately appealed to government at all levels and corporate organizations on the need for them to assist in uplifting the game of football ball by creating the enabling environment, encouraging football entrepreneurs and providing the needed training facilities and infrastructures.

The 16 teams that qualified and registered for the maiden edition of the Super League which are trading tackles under 4 groups, that is group A- D. Thus, Group A, parades clubs like Bayern Munich, West Brom, Chelsea and Totthenham, Group B were fixed with Clubs like Man City, Man U, Real Madrid and Juventus.

Similarly, group C rated as weaker group has Football Clubs like Wolves, AT. Madrid, Arsenal and Dortmund while D is described as group of death because West- Ham, Liverpool, Barcelona and Inter-Milan clubs are involved.

From the schedule of Time Table, the Super League quarter finals will be played on daily basis for 4 days between Monday 5th July and Thursday 8th July,2021 while Semi- finals which is scheduled to last for 2 days only will commence on Sunday 11th July,2021 and end on Monday 12th July, 2021. The finals will be played on Sunday 18th July,2021. All the matches starting from quarter finals to finals will be played at the same venue- Bishop Lasberry and by 4 pm each day.

Mr. Michael Amaefule, the sponsor of the maiden Kun Khalifat 2021 Super League Football Competition on white Jersey while inspecting the players and officials during the kick off of the football competition last Sunday at Bishop Lasberry Girls Secondary School, Irete, near Owerri Photos by Everest Ezihe, Owerri.