BY SUNDAY AKINTOYE
It was a day of celebration on Saturday for the fans of First Waka A football team after their darling team retained title won last year at the just concluded Waka Football League Season 2 final a2024 which held at the Eagles Club playground, Surulere, Lagos.
The defending champions,Waka A football team defeated its counterpart, Waka B football team 2-1 in an highly entertaining match.
Before the pulsating final,Waka A football team were on top of the table with 19 points among the five teams that started the race some weeks ago.
Speaking after the encounter, Captain of Waka A football team, Micheal Fidelis boasted that his team deserved the victory saying that right from the beginning, his teammates were determined and focused to win the league.
“I am happy that we were able to overcome our opponents who really gave us a good fight.We won the title back because we were determined, focused and have the better understanding of the rules and regulations.
“I congratulate my teammates for this wonderful performance.We started well and today (Saturday) we were crowned as champions.This hard fought victory calls for celebration and enjoyment among our fans and teammates,”he said.
Commenting on the league,Chairman of Lagos State Waka Football Association, Mr. Godson Uti, who expressed satisfaction with the quality of the game this season, said the teams exhibited better understanding of the rules of the game season.
According to him, the season 2 league has witnessed a lot of improvement in officiating and team’s knowledge of the rules.
“The inaugural season last year was a good and satisfactory take off of the Waka league. We have seen tremendous improvement in every department of the novel game.
“The players are now more familiar with the rules and smarter with the ball. The officiating was very good because of a better understanding and application of the rules by everyone. This made the matches more entertaining,” he said.
Before the final match, FFC defeated Apapa Ajegunle 1-0 in their last league match.
During the presentation ceremony, organisers announced sum of N400,000 to the winners with a giant trophy, while Waka B football team went home with the sum of N300,000.Other three teams were also rewarded with the prize money.
Other teams featured in the 20 – week season 2 league include, Managers FC, Apapa Ajegunle and FFC.
Uti, who commended the teams for the high quality display and skills, said the waka league has a great future.
“Waka football is not only for retired players, but for football lovers within the prescribed age bracket. It is entertaining, promotes fitness and beneficial for healthy living.
Waka football, a variant of the beautiful game, mainly for players 50 years and above, was introduced in the country by the Lagos State Walking Football Association (LSWFA).
It would be recalled that Nigeria participated in the 2023 Walking Football World Nations Cup at the prestigious St. Georges Park, England. Nigeria finished 9th out of 64 nations.
