Reign College stars David reflect on Sporting Lagos secondary school cup win

Regin College title-winning heroes David Azukwo and Marvelous Amaechi have described the inaugural Sporting Lagos Secondary Schools Cup as a major stepping stone in their football careers after inspiring their school to a historic championship victory.

The duo played a pivotal role as Regin College defeated Federal Technical College (FTC) Yaba 3-0 in the final held at the Elegbata Sports Complex in Lagos Island to become the first-ever champions of the competition.

Their impressive performances throughout the tournament also earned them the competition’s top individual honours, with goalkeeper David Azukwo taking the GoodTree Gold Glove and midfielder Marvelous Amaechi receiving the Most Valuable Player (MVP) grant.

Azukwo looks to professional football after Golden Glove success

For David Azukwo, a student of Senior Secondary School Two (SS2), the tournament marked another milestone in his football journey.

The goalkeeper finished the competition with three clean sheets and made decisive penalty saves during the round of 16, establishing himself as one of the standout players of the inaugural edition.

“I feel very happy and great,” Azukwo said after receiving his award. “I came into the competition with the mind of winning. I’m happy to have kept three clean sheets and saved three penalties without conceding a goal. I think I will become a professional footballer.”

Azukwo, who started playing football at the age of 13, said the Sporting Lagos Secondary School Cup has given him the exposure to pursue his ambitions.

“The Sporting Lagos school competition has contributed enormously to my career because I see it as a starting point in my professional career,” he said. “I thank the organizers, my teammates and my coach. I pray to become a better person in life.”

Amaechi aims for greater heights after MVP award

Midfield maestro Marvelous Amaechi was instrumental in Regin College’s unbeaten run, dictating play and controlling the tempo throughout the tournament before capping his campaign with an outstanding performance in the final.

The SS2 student described winning the tournament MVP award as a significant boost to his confidence and football aspirations.

“Winning the Most Valuable Player honor in this tournament shows me that I can go far in my soccer career,” Amaechi said. “I see it as a launching pad towards the height I’m pursuing. I thank the organizers for hosting the competition because it brought out the best in me.”

Amaechi admitted that the level of competition intensified as the tournament progressed, particularly in the championship match.

“I played as a midfielder. There wasn’t much pressure in the first and second games, but the final game was much more intense,” he said.

Inspired by Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo, the young midfielder revealed his dream of playing at the highest level.

“My role model is Cristiano Ronaldo because I love the way he plays. I get great support from my parents and I would love to play for Manchester City one day.”

The Sporting Lagos Cup strengthens grassroots football

Sponsored by Seal and Goodtree AgThe first ever Sporting Lagos Secondary Schools Cup featured some of the top secondary schools in Lagos State including King’s College, CMS Grammar School, Gracewell Academy and Anwar-Ul Islam.

The competition concluded with Reign College emerging worthy champions after a dominant campaign that culminated in a convincing 3-0 victory over FTC Yaba in the final.

Beyond the trophies, the tournament showcased the quality of Nigerian secondary school football talent and provided a valuable platform for young players like Azukwo and Amaechi to showcase their skills.

With both award winners setting their sights on professional football, the inaugural Sporting Lagos Secondary Schools Cup has further reinforced their role in discovering and nurturing the next generation of Nigerian football stars.