Royal Rangers Competition Gathers Pace as PaulClay Investment Backs Grassroots Football
The Royal Rangers Grand Football Competition has kicked off in Owerri, with 15 teams competing for honours in the grassroots tournament sponsored by PaulClay Investment Limited.
The competition has a total prize money of N300,000, with the champions taking N200,000 and the runners-up receiving N100,000.
The 15 teams are spread across four groups. Groups A, B and C have four teams each, while Group D has three. The top two teams from each group will progress to the knockout stage.
Group A: Royal Rangers FC, Wibema FA, Soccer Warriors and Dynamic Stars FC.
Group B: Vinax FC, Cornel FC, Sunny United FC and Nice FC.
Group C: IMSU FC, Macbon Gladiators FC, KHP FC and Lakecity FC Ltd.
Group D: Nova FC, Zion Boys FC and Natural Selection FC.
Opening Games Produce Seven Goals
Three matches have been played, with the tournament already producing competitive football.
Royal Rangers FC and Wibema FA opened the competition with a 0-0 draw. Both sides created chances but neither could find the breakthrough, with Elvis Ashiegbu of Wibema FA emerging as Man of the Match.
Soccer Warriors made an impressive start by defeating Dynamic Stars FC 3-1. Oleru Chinemerem scored twice, while Ishia Zubby added the third. Kampala scored for Dynamic Stars. Chinemerem was named Man of the Match.
The third game saw Cornel FC beat Vinax FC 2-1 in Group B. Henry scored twice for Cornel, including the winner late in the contest, while Frank got Vinax’s goal. Chibuike of Cornel FC was named Man of the Match.
Upcoming Fixtures
Action resumes this weekend with six matches across Saturday and Sunday. Group C will make its first appearance on Saturday, while Group D gets underway on Sunday.
Saturday, September 12: Sunny United FC vs Nice FC – 11am; IMSU FC vs Macbon Gladiators FC – 1:55pm; KHP FC vs Lakecity FC Ltd – 3:55pm.
Sunday, September 13: Nova FC vs Zion Boys FC – 11am; Soccer Warriors vs Royal Rangers FC – 1:55pm; Wibema FA vs Dynamic Stars FC – 3:55pm.
Other scheduled games include Sunny United against Vinax, Cornel against Nice and KHP against IMSU on September 19.
Macbon Gladiators face Lakecity, Royal Rangers meet Dynamic Stars and Wibema take on Soccer Warriors on September 20.
Natural Selection FC begin their campaign against Nova FC on September 26, the same day Nice face Vinax and Cornel meet Sunny United.Lakecity tackle IMSU while Macbon Gladiators face KHP on September 27.
The listed group fixtures conclude on October 3, when Natural Selection FC meet Zion Boys FC.
PaulClay Investment’s Support
The competition is sponsored by PaulClay Investment Limited, owned by Nwaokeke Paul Uche, popularly known as Isikaraka, a native of Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State.
Nwaokeke is the Chief Executive Officer of PaulClay Investment Limited, a company involved in solar installations and renewable energy solutions.
The company provides solar power systems for homes, businesses, schools, hospitals and industries, alongside installation and after-sales support.
His sponsorship of the competition is a welcome contribution to grassroots football development in Imo State. Beyond providing prize money, the tournament gives young footballers an organised platform to display their talent, compete regularly and improve their game.
