It was a proud Douglas Idahosa, Chief Coach and founder of one of Nigeria’s best grassroots outfits, BJ Foundation FC, who turned up to welcome some of his former players during his team’s annual end-of-year match that sees ex-players square up against current ones.

The match which took place at the club’s home ground (Arinze Primary School playing field) in the early hours of Monday, Dec. 23, attracted thousands of spectators who were on hand to watch their local heroes live.

At the end of an entertaining encounter, the ex-BJ stars triumphed 4-1. Particularly impressive in the match were Odion Ajayi (Croatia), Jolly Ackers (Heartland), Osas Okoro (Heartland), Osasu Aigbe (Enugu Rangers) and Osas Amen (Insurance).

Osas Okoro calmly finished a sweet-flowing move early in the first half to put the All-Stars team ahead. Isaac Success, who is waiting to begin his European career, responded for BJ’s current team with an absolutely brilliant solo finish to put scores at 1-1. After collecting the ball just after the center circle, he embarked on a direct run at the professionals’ defence, selling a dummy to the last defender before placing the ball at the far corner to the goalkeeper (Emeka’s) left.

In the second half, a brace from Osas Amen and a simple tap in from Jolly Akers, after some careless goalkeeping from the BJ keeper, settled the game in the ex-BJ Stars’ favour.

After the match, there was the presentation of awards to individual players who distinguished themselves for BJ Foundation this year. The awards which included cash and kits gifts were sponsored by the ex-BJ players.

Some big-name former players however couldn’t make it to the end-of-year game due to engagements with their foreign clubs. The list of the missing players include Victor Moses (Chelsea and Liverpool), Elderson Echiejile (FC Braga, Portugal) Stanley Okoro (Almeria, Spain) and Ndubuisi Agu (FC Porto, Portugal).

•Photo shows Isaac Success celebrating a goal while on duty for Nigeria.

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