BY JOSEPH ODOEKWU, KSM
Holy Ghost College, Owerri, etched their name in history on Friday, September 26, 2025 after defeating St. Peter Claver Seminary, Okpala, 3–2 in a thrilling final to win the maiden edition of the Archbishop Ugorji Cup football tournament for Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Owerri.
The final, held at the Maria Assumpta Cathedral playground, began with a ceremonial kick-off by the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, who later joined priests, religious, teachers, students, and football enthusiasts to watch the spectacle. The competition, which began on May 21, 2025, featured 44 teams before culminating in the five-goal finale.
Tournament top scorer Uzodimma Canice, with 17 goals before the match, fired Holy Ghost ahead with two quick strikes. However, St. Peter Claver Seminary rallied back through Levi Njoku, whose goal before halftime restored hope for the Okpala side. The interval provided organizers an opportunity to entertain the crowd with cultural dances by students of Obube Secondary School and Owerri Girls Secondary School, alongside light refreshments.
The second half brought even more drama as Antony Daniel equalized for St. Peter Claver, sending their fans into wild celebration. With both sides locked at 2–2, the match became a nail-biting contest until Canice completed his hat-trick ten minutes before the final whistle and sealing victory for Holy Ghost College. The Owerri Municipal Deanery side clinched the top prize of ₦500,000, while St. Peter Claver Seminary of Mbutu-okohia Deanery settled for ₦300,000.
Although St. Peter Claver Seminary drew strength from a spirited comeback, Holy Ghost College’s winner underlined their superiority on the day. The victory not only earned them the championship trophy but also underscored the beginning of rivalry between the two deaneries, setting the stage for future editions of the Archbishop Ugorji Cup.
In the third-place match, Presentation Secondary School, Ogbuaku, defeated St. Paul’s International Secondary School, Onyeaghalanwanneya, in a penalty shootout after a 2–2 draw. Goalkeeper Samuel Egbujulam was the hero, pulling off three saves to secure the ₦200,000 prize for Presentation.
The girls’ tournament, tagged Mmesoma Cup 2025, ended with Maria Assumpta Girls High School, Oguta, overcoming St. Peter’s Secondary School, Onyeaghalanwanneya, in a penalty shootout after a 2–2 draw. Goalkeeper Ruth Mberekpe’s two crucial saves handed her team the ₦500,000 top prize, while St. Peter’s collected ₦300,000. Ohaji High School, Mgbirichi, had earlier secured third place and received the cash prize ₦200,000 for third place finish.
Remarkably, the Mbuto-Okohia Deanery made history by producing finalists in both boys’ and girls’ categories through St. Peter Claver Seminary, Okpala, and St. Peter’s Secondary School, Onyeaghalanwanneya—an unprecedented feat in a single edition which is waiting to be contested by other deaneries in future editions.
Archbishop Ugorji, who personally presented medals to players and officials, watched the final with nostalgia, recalling his youthful days as a footballer. He emphasized that the tournament marks a milestone in harnessing grassroots talent, reinforcing his earlier call on teachers to pay close attention not only to academic performance but also to the development of students’ skills and non-academic potentials.
Other dignitaries present during the final of the match are Archbishop A.J. V Obinna emeritus Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Rev. Dr. Wilfred Nwachukwu, Director , Owerri Archdiocesan Education Commission, Rev. Prof. Donatus Nwachukwu amongst many others.
