A total of 10 clubs are slugging it out in the 2nd edition of HRH Otovie Smith Sylvanus’s inter-tribal football tournament taking place in Mbiama community, Ahoada-West Local Government Area of Rivers State.
In the opening tourney which kicked-off on Sunday was between host community, Mbiama FC with rivals Hausa FC at the Mbiama township stadium.
National Wire sports reports that host community side, Mbiama FC secured the first goal of the tourney through an own goal conceived by the goal keeper of the rival Hausa FC, Dahiru Saed in the first 34 minutes of the game.
However, the rival Hausa FC staged a reinforced comeback in the second half through their forward, Muhammed, Muhammed with jersey no.16 finding the back of the net with an equalizer draw.
Speaking with National Wire Sports, Mbiama paramount ruler and sponsor of the tournament, HRH Otovie Smith Sylvanus said the essence of the mundial was to foster unity and cohesion amongst various tribes and ethnic nationalities in the community.
He commended spectators and all sports enthusiasts for gracing the opening ceremony of the tournament, pledging his continued desire to use sports as a means of empowerment to curb youth restiveness, crime and criminality in and around the community.
Also Speaking, Director of sports, Mbiama community, who also doubles as Manager, Ahoada-West FC, Mr Brown Egbo said the tourney apart from its unifying factors also serves as an avenue for scouting and recruiting football stars.
Highpoints of the opening ceremony was the unveiling of jersey no.10 special procured for ex-Green Eagles midfielder, Mr Jossy Donbraye who was credited to have scored the first goal in 1974 championship in the Cameroons.