General Consul of Chad Republic in Lagos, Ambassador Moussa Sultani, and the President of the Community in Nigeria, Isa Jimoh, stole the show yesterday when they led the Chadian delegation, numbering over 40, to the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium, Surulere venue of the Group B female opening match between Chad and defending champion, Ghana.

They were a great source of emotional support for the Chadian teams to the on-going Airtel Rising Stars U-17 Tournament in Lagos, Nigeria. Little wonder why the less fancied Chadian girls upturned the form books to upset the hot favourites 1-0!

Speaking shortly before the match, the Ambassador expressed happiness at the participation of his country’s teams at the ARS Tournament. He noted that his country and host Nigeria like other African brother nations have enjoyed cordial diplomatic relationship.

“I am very happy about this initiative. Nigeria and my country as well as other African countries have a close working relationship. I believe this tournament will help in exchange of cultural values between the countries,” he said.

Also speaking, the President of the Chadian Community in Nigeria, Alhaji Alli Moussa, said he was excited that the Airtel Rising Stars Tournament offers Chadian youths a unique platform to make a statement in African youth football.

His words: “We are very happy because Chadian youths are here to participate in the ARS Tournament in Nigeria. We want them to play well and probably win the trophy.”

More group matches are to be played today at the Legacy Pitch and NIS Sports Field, both at the National Stadium, Surulere, and the Onikan Stadium in Lagos Island.

This year’s edition of the ARS kicked off Monday, September 15, at the Agege Township Stadium with host Nigeria recording respective victories in the opening group matches against Kenya female and DRC male teams.

The Airtel Rising Stars U-17 soccer tournament is a unique pan-African initiative of Airtel Africa designed to create a pool of talents to feed the national football teams of African countries.

•Photo shows Ambassador Sultani shaking hands with the Ghanaian players before the start of the match between TChad and Ghana . . . yesterday in Lagos.

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