Kom Unity Cup
The KOM UNITY CUP is well on its way!
With the year’s showdown aimed at bringing together sons and daughters of the kingdom, the competition seeks to promote social and cultural values, strengthen social cohesion, love and respect for all, without least, its development and participation of youths in building a sustainable society.
The luncheon began with the arrival of dignitaries representing Kom Kingdom, alongside the various delegations from the different participating teams, preceded by an opening prayer which hoped to mark the lunch of the 2-months inclusive showdown.
With over 8 teams present in this year’s showdown, the activity sought to showcase the diversity and inclusiveness of the Kom culture.
Kick Off – 1: Town Women VS Bonaberi Women
After hearing from dignitaries and the cup donor, the activity took on its way, prior to a brief parade by all participating teams and players in the year’s showdown. All protocols respected, it was a lunch to reckon.
With massive support from the public, adversaries and well wishers, it was kick off time which saw Town Women take on Bonaberi Women in a debut match that will see daughters and mothers of Kom kick it for love, solidarity and respect for all.
The game kicked off in such grandeur, watching mothers and daughters animate the stage with groundbreaking performances in an encounter that had everything pretty much equally matched, with both sides glaring at the 3 points. After long kicks of the ball with little to separate both sides from the first 45 minutes, it was Bonaberi Women who opened up the scoring in the early minutes of the second half, and had everything going their way for what would be an incredible win for the great daughters of Kom. The goal came from a great defensive clearance from a corner kick way in the Bonaberi Women half, as the ball drifted wide towards the corner flag, the strong and resilient defender from the Bonaberi Women team passed the ball to their playmaker who dribbled passed her opponent with a long pass in between the opposition’s defense line, with their attacker ready to bounce on any lose ball, she struggled and fought her way, getting passed two defenders to hit the ball as it rebounded over the defense line exposing the goal to the striker, whose shot rattled passed the goal keeper who made an honest attempt to saving the striker’s shot. This marked the begining of things going well for the resilient daughters of Kom in Bonaberi, and this, marked the opener in this year’s UNITY CUP…
…with the striker, scoring her first goal in the competition and the first goal of the KOM UNITY CUP showdown. Everything seemed settled, done and dusted by the daughters and mothers of Bonaberi Women, headed straight for victory and what was to be, a well played and deserved 3 point, to mark the great opening ceremoney of the UNITY CUP.
Not until five minutes later when the ever fighting daughters of Town Women drawn in level on the scores with an equalizer coming in as a bit of a shocker, after a horrendous defending from a corner kick which had its deflection lead the ball straight into the path of the goal keeper who had everything going her way until the ball rode past her, as she stood bamboozled in the goal line stargazing. ‘Its in the back of the net’ 1:1. A goal that came after a long and hectic battle from the Town Women team, it was worth the wait, and oh my! what a goal it was.
This left the entire Bonaberi Women team in a position they thought, the already had covered, now fighting to get on back on the scores…
…as a win would give both sides an edge moving forward onto the next round of the competition.
This was always going to be a tough battle for both sides, as they well looked enviously ready to grabbing all 3 points in the opening day of the competition. In all inclusiveness and love, it was a game to unite and strengthen the existing bond amongst sons and daughters of Kom, thus ‘their game was fairplay’ and yes, it wasn’t going to end in just a stalemate, and have both teams go back home happy with a point shared apiece.
Late into the second half, it was Town Women who will take an edge infront of the strong daughters from Bonaberi who looked very weary and exhausted getting towards the end of the game, after they put on a show of class and attitude to take the lead earlier in the half, only to lose it to a defensive error that lead to the equalizer. Now, it was even harder, as the second goal came in late into the half, with little to no time remaining for a fight back. It was the daughters and mothers of Town Women who were in euphoria, as they edged pass their united adversary in the scoreline with the game set match done and dusted at this latter stage of the match.
It was all joy and smiles in the faces of the women and the entire public as the game came to an end, seeing Town Women grab all three points, after having put to a scare by their sisters from Bonaberi, when they opened the score in the earlier stages of the second half. It was the end of the first kick off game of the tournament and yes, the stages were set for what would be ‘ an incredible showdown’ of great talents.
Kick Off – 2: Ngohkiti FC VS Ambiance FC
It was showtime! With the atmosphere well settled from the incredible launch showdown put together by the daughters and mothers from Bonaberi Women, and Town Women respectively. The crowd was ready, and impatient for yet another massive luncheon day showdown of talents from the male category, exhibiting Ngohkiti FC VS Ambiance FC. With Kom sons ready to showcase what made their kingdom so special in terms of social and cultural diversities. The art of playing football, more than just a sport, but a language everyone understands. Their game was fair play, as the competition sets out another showdown between two giants from the kingdom, to kick it for inclusive development and cohesion.
The game carried in it self great energy and pressure, as a victory for either sides will place them top of the table, while waiting for the results from MatchDay 2. But nevertheless, both teams were ready for battle to grabbing all 3 points, just as their counterparts of Town Women did earlier on in the day. It was always going to be a tough game for either parties…
…, as they looked well evenly matched with both teams edging over each other on head-to-head. This was a much awaited match, with drowning expectations on both sides, as the kick off wasn’t far from the referee’s whistle, only trolled by the final players and licenses check.
It was kickoff, for a thriller encounter facing the sons of Kom kick it for the second match of the day, thus, marking the official launch of the KOM UNITY CUP. The game had in action Ngohkiti FC go head to head against Ambiance FC. With the first quarter of the half heavily dominated by Ambiance FC, their rivals showed great resilience in keeping their defensive lines tight, while hoping for a break in a counter-attack, when the opponent’s guard is off.
This was always going to be a tough and draining encounter for both sides, as they looked to go back home with all three points, but it was Ambiance FC creating all the chances and showing the greatest scoring threats in the first full half. With Ngohkiti FC having their first full sight at goal only after 19 minutes of play, it was Ambiance FC causing all sorts of problems with their strength and pacy wingers, stressing the opposition’s full backs and defense, and forcing the team to play a low backline for most part of the half…
Ambiance FC came close to opening the scoring, when the keeper sluggishly passed the ball to the opposition winger in an attempt to play with a teammate, handed the striker with the possibility to pick a teammate in the 18 metres box, but failed to deliver, as his cross was too pacy and powerful, drifting wide passed a striker who was impatiently waiting to put his side ahead on the tie.
The game started in such high intensity, with Ambiance FC greatly dominating their opponents in almost every aspect of the pitch, forcing Ngohkiti FC to make their first substitution only 25 minutes into the half, subbing their veteran striker for a fresh steps of youth energy, with the hopes that, the new striker will bring pace and more drifting runs behind the oppositions defense line to create and open up more chances for the team to break the deadlock.
The showdown was fast approaching the end of the first half, with no difference in the scoreline. This was very intriguing, given that the scores remained null after the numerous breakthrough runs made by Ambiance FC into the defense of the opposition.
It will bring us to the end of the first half, halting in a stalemate, as we pend the resumption of the final half, with high hopes that, one side will break the deadlock and give the crowd something to cheer for, under the corny weather of rain and sun.
The second half gets on its way, with both team continuing from where they both left off. It’s still a stalemate and no side is showing signs of going in front.
With Ngohkiti FC and Ambiance FC all haven made use of of their substitution bench at least once, the game proved to be a cracker, as both sets of players showed great determination in defending and attacking responsibly.
It was over the 50 minutes mark when Ngohkiti FC was handed a corner; deep cross into the penalty box, with no attacking player to convert, the ball headed well away by the opposition defender into the path of an attacking player for Ambiance FC who drifts wide and dribbled passed a defender of for a counter attack.
Faced with just one defender against two strikers, the winger crosses the ball towards the path of an attacking teammate, but the ball is intercepted by a defender right across the. penalty box, and the referee calls for a foul! Its a straight red for the defender, as the referee deemed the foul worthy of a straight red card, indicating that the player stopped a clear goal scoring chance by voluntarily handling the ball to prevent it from reaching the opponent striker who would have been caught clear free to face the goal keeper, with a chance to score.
The game is well changed, with the red card issued and a direct free kick given just outside the penalty box. Many pondered, if the referee made the right call or if it would have been best if he consulted with his touchlines, to have a word with his assistants. Nevertheless, the call stood, red card maintained and free kick given. The players of Ambiance FC were delighted to see the defender take on his marching orders, and thought it presented just the golden opportunity they’ve been hunting for the whole game so far.
Free kick stroke straight into the gloves of the goal keeper who hadn’t really been worried for the most part of the half, since they returned from the break. Quick kickoff to the game, following the red card incident, with Ngohkiti FC playing with 10 men after the loss of their center back, the coaching staff was forced to make yet, another substitution, to contain the pressure, with a full back subbed for a defensive midfielder, clicking a change in formation by the coach.
The players of Ngohkiti FC settled in really well after the loss of their central defender and showed signs of threatening their oppositions even though they were less numerically favored.
They then performed their third substitution of the game with the introduction of a wide midfielder, with the intentions of playing on the counter when an opportunity presents itself. The introduction of this skillful and pacy winger caused problems for the defenders of Ambiance FC, with them being unable to contain the wide man who looked sharp with his touches and dribbles so far.
Long ball into the box behind the Ambiance FC defense line for the striker(s) to chasel the goalkeeper steps forth and collects. The assistance referee’s flag goes up for foul play by the goalkeeper; the central referee points to the spot and its an indirect free kick and yellow card to the goal keeper of Ambiance FC for voluntarily handling the ball outside the 18 metres box. As the last player, was this supposed to be a direct red card too for the goalkeeper? Many would suggest so, but no, the referee issued only a yellow card, and play was ready to continue from the free kick deep into the half of Ambiance FC.
With a chance to take the lead from the free kick, the crowd and supporters of Ngohkiti FC, thought this was their chance they’ve been playing for all throughout the game. Steps up, and hits the ball. It’s mightily close to getting into the top corner, with just inches over the cross bar, the game is fully restarted with a goal kick.
Stalemate still, 10 minutes to the end of the game and they remain unseparated in the scoreline, with Ngohkiti FC showing great endurance and resilience from to contain and keep Ambiance FC from taking the lead.
Long pass to the Ngohkiti FC winger, whom since his introduction so far proved to be a torn in the flesh of the Ambiance FC defenders who knew nothing, and how to cope with the trickster who picks off from a long ball wide off the pitch and takes on the defense, to beat one and chips the ball passed the goal keeper, with his striking partner and opposition defender rushing to get to the ball, only for the ball to be clear off the line by the defender.
So close to getting a tap in or a diving leg in for the lead, but it wasn’t going to be for Ngohkiti FC as they fought for all 3 points in the opening day of the competition playing with 10 men.
With the contest just remaining 5 minutes to go, its a long pass from the Ambiance FC defense line to find a teammate in the midfield who plays an airy through ball to the wide man; the keeper steps out of his line, and the attacker beats the defender to race first to the ball and chips it pass the goalkeeper for a goal bound strike.
Followed by a Ngohkiti defender who chases the ball right into the goal for a goal line clearance, ends up making a hallow of his attempt, and woefully misses his shot, all alone in front of the goal post, leaving the goal and the ball exposed to a followup by the wide man from Ambiance FC, who headed in the goal of the match and the tournament, for the male category.
It was barely 2 minutes to the end of the encounter, and the players from Ngohkiti FC showed great class, resilience and hardwork in almost keeping the stalemate to the end of the game, but this wasn’t to be and yes, the sons from Ambiance FC opened the scoring from what one would think, an impossible goal to concede.
The deadlock was broken, just minutes to the end of the match, presenting the Ngohkiti FC boy with little to no time for a bounce back and all out attack formation. It was going to be Ambiance FC’s day, after the hardwork and great show both teams put in, it would be hard for either to go back home splitting the points.
Ambiance FC showed greater hunger in grabbing all 3 points, and luck smiled at them, as they pounded on what one would call, a defensive sham by the defender of Ngohkiti FC. This is football and Yes, football is filled with heartbreaking moments like that, and one can only feel sorry for the defender, whom throughout the game, without doubt, gave in his all for the team, and defended with such resilience and optimism, until the unfortunate ball miss in front of the goal line.
The game ended in favor of Ambiance FC who won the 10-man side Ngohkiti FC by a goal to nothing.
The happenings today marked the beginning of the great event, as sons and daughters of this great kingdom prepare to take up the next few months in unity and love, to kick it, as we honor and remember all our loved ones, brothers, and sisters, including friends facing the different challenges of life.
