The sponsor of NSM/Walin Kakuri Ramadan Cup, Mallam Sani Abdullahi has hinted that he decided to sponsor the annual competition to harness talents in the Kakuri metropolis and help nurture them to stardom.
Abdullahi who said this shortly after the final of the 5th edition of the competition stressed that tapping talents at the grassroots and ensuring that they are groomed to play for clubs in the country and abroad would ensure the youths are free from social vices and use their time for something more productive.
He also maintained that it is also aimed at bridging gaps of disunity while encouraging unity and peace across the multi-ethnic and religious communities in the area through the unifying power of Football.
According to Abdullahi, the competition which is the 5th edition will be sustained and repackaged to continue to meet its vision and mission.
Meanwhile, Kakuri United Football Club emerged as the champions of the 2021 edition after lifting the coveted title at the expense of Future Eagles Football club who they defeated 9-8 on Penalties after the result stood at 2-2 draw at full time.
The match which was played at the Government Secondary School, Kakuri, Kaduna on Thursday as part of activities to mark Ramadan, attracted the who is who in the Football business from Kwara, Katsina, Kano states, and the entire country at large.
Kakuri United opened the scoring in the 23rd minute of the game through Ibrahim Yahaya but Dauda Adamu restored parity for Future Eagles in the 33rd minute. The game was 1-1 at halftime.
But Ibrahim Yahaya again shot Kakuri United FC ahead a few minutes into the second half for the second time in the game and his fourth goal of the competition. The lead was however short-lived with an equalising goal from Future Eagles FC’s Sadiq Muhammed, following a defensive error in the vital area of the Kakuri United.
The match went into a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw at the end of the game. Kakuri United however managed to hold their nerves and thus edged the Future Eagles 9-8 after the penalty shootout to emerge winner of the tournament.
The personalities and spectators were thrilled with the final match, with a good display of skillful, artistic, and entertaining performance in the game of soccer by the youthful players on both sides.
Ibrahim Yahaya whose two goals propelled Kakuri United FC to the cup emerged as the Most Valuable Player of the competition. He was equally the Highest Goalscorer too with four goals while Mamajo Mohammed’s heroics during the final spot-kicks earned him the Best Goalkeeper award in a competition Kakuri United FC swept the individual awards. Kakuri All-Stars emerged as the Best Behaved Team.
Other highlights of the 5th edition of NSM/Walin Kakuri Ramadan Football Competition 2021 include awards to deserving corporate organizations for their invaluable contributions towards the development of the game at the grassroots level.
2021 WALIN KAKURI /NSM RAMADAN CUP COMPETITION FULL RESULTS
FIRST ROUND
*MD 1 Friday 16th April 2021
Zebra 2-0 Campus Boys
*MD 2 17th Saturday, April 2021
Kakuri United 2 -1 Celtics
*MD 3 Sunday 18th April 2021
YMCA 0-0 F C Porto (3- 4) PK
*MD 4 Tuesday 20th April 2021
Zifa 3-0 Congo 2
*MD 5 Wednesday 21st April 2021
Kakuri Old Stars 1-0 Stock City
*MD 6 22nd Thursday, April 2021
Desert Warriors 0-1 Future Eagles
MD 7, Friday 23rd April 2021
F C Court 3-0 Rubin Kazah
QUARTER-FINAL RESULTS
Zebra FC 1-1 FC Porto (9-8 on penalties)
Kakuri United 1-0 Kakuri All-Stars
Future Eagles 2-0 Zifa FC, May 1
FC Court 0-1 YMCA FC, May 2
SEMI-FINAL RESULTS
Zebra FC 3-1 Future Eagles, May 8 (Result overturned by the O& D and Future Eagles won after Zebra FC was disqualified for using an ineligible player)
Kakuri United 1-2 YMCA FC, May 9 (Kakuri United was named the winner after the O& D overturned the result. YMCA was disqualified for the use of mercenary player)
FINAL RESULT May 13
Future Eagles 2-2 Kakuri United, (Kakuri United won the competition 9-8 after penalty kicks
