By
Dr Innocent Chidumebi Okonkwo.
Umunnoke Oruba team cross town rivals in a gripping 2023 Ijenoke crowd funding competition final of Ogene Ivite Aguleri foundation. Barr. Peter Madubuko led team clinched their 3rd Ivite Aguleri crowd funding trophy after a rousing first half performance.
Umunnoke led with a wide margin in the first leg through Prof. Obiefune, Akummili, Edwin Udenze, Udummili, Akpali and other Ijele strikes which made other teams to start battling for first runner up.
The 2023 Ibobo Ndi Igbo of Ogene Ivite, Prince Hilary Anekwe Nwa Anekwe of Okpu Okeosisi team was the Hero of 2023 Ijenoke as he became another person that played like Hon. Chinedu Obidigwe in the history of the competition. The combination of Anekwe and Chukwudi Winter with Akaego's assist at about 11: 55 pm put Okpu team up finally and Ndidi Ebogha's Owelolie was unable to cancel the score before the final whistle and Owelolie settled at 3rd position.
Tony More has helped his Umungalagu team make top 4 for the second time after the first league in 2018. Umungalagu snatched the 4th position in the dying minute of the game when Tony More pulled a superlative Ijele strike against the rival Amerulu.
Approximately over 500 jubilant Umunnoke fans flocked to the streets of Ivite Aguleri and Okukuizu market square after the competition to join the team to celebrate their Ijenoke Champions victory over record-extending 3rd title.
A lot of supporters paraded with the winners at Ama Umunnoke last night. They appreciated all the players including the engine room of the team Prof Michael Obiefune.
In his post match speech, the Chairman of Ogene Ivite forum, Prof Michael Obiefune congratulated the winners and also told OIF members that it was a collective winning for all the Indigenes of Ivite Aguleri.
In the record, Umunnoke has equalled Isiokwe in the number of trophies: Amerulu won 1, Isiokwe won 3 and Umunnoke now won 3.
*The most improved team of the year was the most difficult title to win in 2023 as all teams improved and ended up a tie between Okpodo, Umuanwunu, Amaerulu and Owololie.*
Some of the outstanding events at the just concluded Ijenoke Ogene Ivite forum are;
1. *First position* - Umunnoke Oruba
2. *Second position* -Okpu Okeosisi team.
3. *Third position* --Owelolie team.
4. *Fourth position* - Umungalagu Village 1 team.
1. *Highest goal scorer and Ibobo of the 2023 competition* - Prince Hilary Anekwe Nwa Anekwe.
2. *Best outing* --Umunnoke
4. *Best coach* -- Obi Winter
6. *Most Valuable Team* -Umunnoke
7. *Motivational player* - Dr Fide Ndigwe.
8. *The young Ijeles are:*
9. Chinedu Udenze (Okaka) 19 years.
10. Chibuzo Obiefune 23 years.
11. Chineme Obiefune 26 years.
12. *Outstanding Nne Ijele* Dr. Mrs Amaka Obiefune
13. *Outstanding lady of the year* -Ijele Mrs. Uche AGAMU (Nee Obiefune)
14) *Puskas Award* - Iru-Oma age grade
15) Most improved teams of the year: Owololie, Amerulu, Okpodo and Umuanwunu .
Those to be admitted into the Ijele Ivite society this year are:
Ijele Ms Chito Obiefune
Ijele Dr Fidelis Ndigwe
Ijele Alphonsus Azodo ( Bolton)
Ijele Chinedu Uzodigwe ( Uzo Best)
Ijele Onyekachukwu Okemmili Ndigwe
Ijele Dr Innocent Chidumebi Okonkwo
Ijele Super Ijele Ekene Daniel Anekwe
Ijele Amechi Obagha
Chineme Nwawuo Ifekwu (Igwe Ghana) Super ijele
Ijele Sunday Chukwuka (ObiAdada)
Ijele Obinna Chijindu(Onye Ogazili n' Aguleri)
Ijele Daniel Chinedu Igweze (Aka Ji Aku)
Ijele Chinenye Akalia (Ambition)
Ijele Emmanuel Ozoemena Favour (Anaeliaku)
Ijele Onyeka Chuma Okaru (Okaaobuluzo)
Ijele Mike Anekwe Ndive
Ijele Ignacio Chukwuma
Ijele Obinna Ebogha
Ijele Ndidi Ebogha
Ijele Micheal Nwobu (Onwa Jnr)
Ijele Ofoma Chukwuma(Egbe ana agba Anyanwu)
Ijele ChukwuEbuka Nwaekwu(Ikuku oma)
Ijele Ifeanyi Nweke(Igwe Ogefe nweli Amalachukwu)
Ijele N.Dr Obiora Nwakwudo (Anyaigbo ji Avu Uzo)
Ijele Umu-Meniru Family
Super Ijele Mrs. Uche AGAMU (Nee Obiefune)
Ijele Chibuzo Akwaeze(Spyro)
Ijele Nelson Ekokwu (Igwe Ndi Igwe)
Ijele Franklin Akwaeze(Eze Oka-omee)
Ijele Tony Chieji(Chikeluba Aguleri)
Ijele Akachukwu Obiefune (Obi Obie’s Son)
Super Ijele Michael Onuorah Ekokwu (Akpali Aguleri)
Ijele Chinakueze Cornelius Melikam (Amalaego )
Ijele Rev Fr.Gabriel Okafor
Ijele Nnamdi Nnalue
Super Ijele George Udedibie
Ijele Ojukwu Ekemezie
Ijele Bishop Michael Ekwenye
Ijele Late Lawrence Okechi Family
Ijele Mrs Valentina Lawrence Okechi
Ijele Mrs Nancy Chinelo Chinedu Obidigwe.
Ijele Ejimofor Anthony Nwabekwu