A popular Lagos-based businessman, Kelvin Irikefe (aka Don Kefe) has rated this year’s Achievers Cup high and gave thanks that he was able to help his team win their last match of the competition.
Although he recalled how his side, Team Kendoritz, lost their first three matches of the leisure competition organised by Island All-Stars Sports Club (IASC), Irikefe expressed delight with how his arrival turned their fortunes round.
He stated further in an exclusive interview with sports247.ng that he brought ‘foreign-based flair’ into the team and submitted that finishing third on the final medals table was a good achievement for them.
Irikefe expatiated: “At the all stars level, I’ll brand myself as playing at the top flight in Europe.
“That’s on a novelty level, and I am now back home. But, before I came in, my team had lost three games in a row.
“Football is a team game, so I wouldn’t give too much credence to myself. But, when I came in, either by share input from me or by fortune, we started picking up.
“We played our fourth game to a draw and narrowly lost the fifth. Then, this last one, it was a redemption for us.”
He then gave details of the various roles he played and contributions he was able to put into the squad that turned around the results for Team Kendoritz.
Irikefe added: “I first played from the midfield, and I put in my best. I even played as a sweeper but kept on surging forward.
“The highlight of our last game is that we won; but a crucial moment was when I did a touchline save about two minutes to end the match.
“Overall, I felt relieved, as if we had won the trophy. That’s because this victory helped us finish third on the league table.”
He concluded by giving his personal assessment of the competition that was sponsored by Providus Bank and declared it as successful, with a scorecard of 90%.
“The tournament has been growing on bounds and leaps. This year’s own was not different in terms of the progression, but we are still going to do better.
“There are certain areas in which we did more and other areas where we could have done better.
“That’s in terms of the quality of football that we saw, at this age and our level.
“Also, in terms of the level of organisation by the SMC, we’ve done a good job.
“The management officials of each team and the fans’ base also added value to make this a football fun fair,” Irikefe revealed with affirmation.
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