Sheriff, Mandiba to represent South West in Gulder tourney

SHERIFF and Mandiba football clubs of Lagos are the 2012 representatives of the South West Zone of Gulder Five-A-Side finals.Though both sides have been confirmed the flag bearers of the zone after winning their semi-final matches, they will face each other at the Dipo Dina Staduim in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, to determine which the overall winner of the zone.After a keenly contested final match, Sheriff, led by its talismanic striker and highest goal scorer of last year's event, Nasiru Kabiru, defeated Mandiba 1-0. The three-day South-West regional qualifiers were every bit as exciting as it promised.Close to a hundred teams converged at the Dipo Dina Stadium for the three-day qualifier. The teams that showed up for the fiesta thronged in from neighbouring South-West states as well as Benin and other cities. The event also attracted a large number of supporters, spectators and dignitaries from around the zone, who came to witness the games.Former international, Tajudeen Disu, who was present at the event, praised Gulder for supporting grassroots football. According to Disu, the five-a-side tourney is a noble objective coming at the right time. He stated: 'I travelled from Abeokuta to show my support and encouragement to the players and management of Nigerian Breweries, maker of Gulder lager beer.'In this era when this country is seeking for fresh talents, the tourney is exactly what this country needs. I think it is coming at the right time.'Disu also called on other corporate bodies to emulate the sponsorship of the competition, saying: 'I want to call on other brands and companies to emulate Nigerian Breweries in creating such a wonderful platform for young stars around the country.
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