The latest round of matches at Achievers Cup 2024 served up a remarkable highlight, as a China-based businessman, Emmanuel Chukwudi Obaji stole the show, sports247.ng reports.
Obaji was named man of the match after he got the goal that gave his side victory and kept them in the title chase for the competition that features former players and ex-internationals.
It is the second straight man of the match award for Obaji, as the first came when he netted a hat-trick in his side’s second victory of the competition, which is organised by Island All-Stars Sports Club (IASC) and sponsored by Providus Bank.
Dramatically, Obaji missed his side’s first two matches of the competition because he was away in China on a bussiness trip and had to rebook his ticket with a fee of N800,000 in order to play the third game.
Sports247.ng reports that Obaji’s presence helped his team romp to second place on the table at the competition’s halfway point, despite having lost their first match in his absence.
With another man of the match award in the kitty at the resumption of the competition this past Saturday, Obaji is now giving thanks to God for making it a worthwhile return home for him.
He, however, stressed that winning the award does not mean he is his team’s best player.
Obaji said in an exclusive interview with sports247.ng: “This victory means a lot to me. I appreciate it, and I dedicate this man of the match award to my team.
“It’s not because I am the best or that I am better than others. I just give thanks to everyone for helping me, because we played together as a team, and God has been at our back.”
Obaji added that he is happy for how God made possible his personal and collective success, especially as he knew ahead of time that it would be a tough match.
“I am very, very happy for what God has done, because I knew that this game would be more than tough.
“I told my teammates before we entered the pitch that the opponents were coming for revenge. All the same, God gave us a well-deserved win.
“All glory also to God that I was able to stand out as man of the match and we got the three points.
“Getting all six points from this team was not an easy thing, but we expected it not to be easy.
“At the end, I am happy that we emerged as a victorious team. We won our third match and now have nine points,” Obaji said excitedly.
He then shot his mind into the next two matches to end the competition and reckoned that his name, Emmanuel, which means God with us, will continue working for his team.
“My expectation is for me to lift this cup. I’ve played this league four consecutive times, and I’ve not won it; but I believe in this one.
“This is my first time winning man of the match back-to-back in the competition. It’s not an easy thing, and I thank God for it.
“I give all the honour to God and my teammates for what we all have done. Thanks too to Island All Stars … it’s a great club.
“It’s not easy to be a member of Island All Stars Sports Club. Moreover, I always join them all the way from the Mainland.
“I think maybe I’m the only member that comes from the Mainland, but they do everything to ensure that I feature in their matches.
“They even paid for me to stay in a hotel before this match. So, I thank God for helping me to justify their support.
“I also thank God for how he has
encouraged them for all they are doing and for being with us because my name is Emmanuel,” he philosophised.
Obaji then took his mind back to his trip home from China in order to play the third match that took his side up to second spot on the table.
He recounted, “I didn’t play our second game because I wasn’t around. I was in China; but I did everything possible to come home because I have the team in mind.
“I changed my flight ticket with N800,000 to come back and play the third game. God saw my heart and helped me score a hat-trick in that game. That’s when I won my first man of the match award.
“I would have been disappointed in myself for spending such amount of money, only to get here and lose the match.
“I left many friends behind in China, and they asked me if I was being paid to play these matches. I said no, it’s just because of my passion.
“I love playing football, and I love winning. I have a passion for it, and I am very happy that my team is winning.”
He concluded by praising the leadership and members of Island All-Stars Sports Club, then thanked everyone whose votes ensured that he emerged as the best player from Saturday’s first match.
“This club has been great to my life and my business. We patronise one another, and most of them call me when they need building materials that I supply. Thanks to God, I do not disappoint them.
“The club is a great club, and I also thank the audience that voted me as man of the match.
“It’s true that I scored the goal that won the game for my team, but the award could have been given to another person.
“That’s what happened in one of our games last year. So, I am grateful that I eventually won it this year. All the same, we move on,” Obaji submitted.
He will now pray for victory in his team’s next two matches, one of which will be against current table toppers, Team Prossy, who top the log with 10 points, while Obadi’s side, Team Gold, are second on nine.
