Rivers para-soccer team on Friday in Abuja beat the Kano state team 2-1 to win the gold medal of the para-soccer event of the ongoing 2018 National Sports Festival (NSF).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the game played at the handball court at Package B of the National Stadium, Rivers team took effective control of the game.
They led 1-0 in the first half and after their opponents drew level, they went on in the second half to end the game 2-1.
Speaking later, the coach of Rivers, Tony Chuku said he was happy that he met his target.
“I’m happy to snatch victory from my opponents, because the Kano team have always been winning their final match whenever they participate in any competition.
“But my players were more experienced and stronger than they are. So, this time it was our turn to take the first position and our turn to reign.
“I had said it from the beginning of this competition that we are here to win the gold medal, and God has answered our prayers,” he said.
On his part, coach of the Kano state team, Ibrahim Musa, said his players tried their best but it was unfortunate that they could not win the final match.
“We are known to be the number one in para-soccer. But in any match there is always a winner and a loser, and it is unfortunate that Rivers took the glory from us.
“This is the first time my team is losing a match like this, because my opponents were not experienced like my players,” he said.
NAN reports that earlier in the third-place match, the FCT team had beaten Ogun 2-0 to finish third and win the bronze medal.
Teams from six states, namely Rivers, Kano, FCT, Ogun, Plateau and Bauchi, participated in the 19th NSF para-soccer competition.
NAN
