Telecoms Games: Etisalat wins football, MTN medals toppers

It had always been the biggest fixture of the Nigeria Telecoms Games football event and the befitting final of 2013 between cup holders, MTN and their perennial challengers Etisalat. The head-to-head count between these two sides had MTN with a huge advantage with four wins in five meetings.


Etisalat got their solitary win before Sunday’s final in a group stage 1-0 defeat of MTN in 2012 and then lost 2-0 when they met again in the final of that edition. Etisalat set off early in the game to show their ambition as they took the game to MTN, mounting pressure and putting them on the back foot. Solomon Ajala was the tormentor in chief, running at the MTN defence and trying to tear it apart.

Captain Andrew Enebeli, Femi Akinyele also posed problems for the MTN defence. MTN did try a fight back with Kunle Kuyinu, Yusuf Abubakar, Aliche Iheukwumere and Ubong Idung trying to unlock the Etisalat defence which was resisted by the quartet of Khalid Bello, Prince Ehio, Nkemka Okocha and Usman, but the first half ended 0-0.

Etisalat held on for a famous victory and their first ever football gold in the Telecoms Games.

Etisalat’s Chima Nnorom won the Goalkeeper of The Tournament award. The best defender went to Joseph Akpata (MTN), best midfielder went to Ubong Idung (MTN), while the top scorer award went to Iheukwumere, who finished the tournament with five goals. Etisalat’s Ajala was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

Despite losing the football gold, MTN still finished highest on the log after winning 10 gold, 7 silver and 10 bronze.