From George Aluo, Praia
It was a thrilling opener Saturday night when the maiden edition of the Africa Youth Cup kicked off at the Estadio National (National Stadium) in Praia with visiting Benfica and home side, Misto Sotavento playing out a 2-2 draw.
The encounter which was watched by the number one citizen of Cape Verde, President Jurge Carlos Fonseca was one in which Benfica was denied the maximum points with only two minutes to go as Sotavento leveled scores from the spot to the admiration of the home fans who cheered and cheered until the very last minute of the game.
The first game of the tournament turned out to be a good advertisement for the event as the fans left the stadium celebrating the 2-2 draw Sotavento secured against the more organized Benfica side.
Speaking after the opener, Newman Ebiegberi whose outfit, Serahanasports is packaging the tournament alongside the Cape Verdean football authorities gave Benfica and Sotavendo kudos for exhibiting good football.
“We have seen a good opener. A four goal thriller in the very first game, one couldn’t have asked for more. The fans thoroughly enjoyed themselves and we saw good officiating. I think this is a near perfect start for a tournament that is making it debut. And one man that deserves kudos is the President of Cape Verde Jurge Fonseca, who not only graced the opening ceremony but watched the very first game,” Newman said.
The Nigerian duo of Restoration Starlets of Bayelsa and Pawas Academy, Jos would Sunday (today) begin their campaign in the tournament.
Going by the pairings made available to The Nigerian Xpress Sports, Pawas Academy would face home side Volcan FC at the Pensamento Stadium by 4 pm local time, while Restoration Starlets would do battle with Cape Verde Barlavento Academy 3.30 pm local time.