DOSAD Quartet Impress in AIFL League Debut
By Princess Chinecherem Efobi
DOSAD Football Academy/Club of Enugwu Ukwu Awka Diocese of Anambra state defeated Cardinal Arinze Football club of Onitsha 3-1, in the Anambra Independent Football League (AIFL) opening game, at NEROS Stadium Nanka, December 4, 2020. The DOSAD victory was wrought through the effort of four new players who joined DOSAD on a short loan from her partner club Miserere Football Club of Enugu.
PICTURE: Some DOSAD Team players against Cardinal Arinze FC. Back row from left: Victor, Chisom, Chidera, Chukwujekwu, Toochukwu, Paul, Benjamin. Front from left :Ejor, Martin, Chinonso, Chukwuma
The quartet loanee players include ferocious left back Victor Ugwumsinachi Ehire, sleek striker cum winger Chisom Miracle Okafor, deft support striker Martin Nchedo Ekeh, and no-nonsense defensive midfielder Toochukwu John Anih. The first three made the starting line of star-studded DOSAD team, while Toochukwu Anih still nursing an injury, made the substitute list, to have a feel of the league. The new players immediately jelled into the promising DOSAD team, the current AIFL champions.
Against Cardinal Arinze FC, left back Victor Ehire was dazzling all through, providing many forays into the opponents defence, which eventually led to DOSAD first goal, a penalty scored by Captain Ejike Onyia in the 27th minute, after the pressure from Vitus Chukwuma forced a handball from Cardinal Arinze defender. Victor’s effort was complimented by other DOSAD reliable defenders Emmanuel Ezeakunne, Chibuike Ihionu, the captain Ejike Onyia and of course DOSAD first choice goalkeeper Benjamin Vincent Chisom Enendu.
Martin Nchedo Ekeh , playing just behind the striker Chisom, enjoyed the full midfield compliments of Chukwuma Nwankwo and Ejike Anaduaka to notch up the DOSAD attack. Chisom Miracle Okafor spearheaded the DOSAD attack that had famous wing duo of John Chinaza Okeke and Vitus Onyebuchi. Their constant troubles yielded two other goals for DOSAD.
Chisom’s deft head loop over the onrushing opponent’s goalkeeper in the 55th minute direct from defender Chibuike’s long range drop, is being considered the goal of the opening AIFL day matches. John Okeke’s tuck in on 76th minute of the game after a goal mouth melee decided the match for DOSAD. Cardinal Arinze pulled one beauty of a goal back to make it 1-2 in the 63rd minute courtesy of Uche Austin.
Speaking to Fides, the Director of DOSAD Sports, Rev Fr Obinna Dike, said he was impressed with both the display and attitude of the four new additions to DOSAD family. He appreciated Miserere FC management for their good job in harnessing youth potentials through football.
“I commend Rev Fr Chris Ngwu, the CEO and founder of Miserere Football Club Enugu for his belief and investment in youth apostolate. We at DOSAD have a cordial partnership with his club. These four players are currently in the joint travelling team of both clubs. The team that played against Cardinal Arinze is made up of the team that will surprise the world very soon” Fr Dike said.
This Friday December 11, at NEROS Stadium Nanka, fans will look forward to another good encounter as DOSAD engages Ogene FC in their second match of AIFL Season 5 campaign.
