Joe Erico, Amuneke, Grace MTN Football Scholars Novelty Match

The MTN Football Scholar Season 5, formally kicked off today at the University of Abuja sports ground. In the opening match, the present beneficiaries of the initiative played a novelty match with University of Abuja’s finest 11.

The scholars started the game by capitalising on poor defending from the UniAbuja team to open the scoring inside the opening 5 minutes of the encounter.

The UniAbuja team were not to be outplayed as they equalised through incisive play in the 32nd minute.

The encounter ended one goal apiece at half time.

The second half kicked off in pulsating manner with the UniAbuja team taking the game to the Scholars. The University side grabbed the lead for the first time of the encounter in early minutes of the 2nd half. They put the game beyond reach of the MTN Football Scholars with a third goal from a skilful header while the Scholars defence was ball watching.

The UniAbuja team were rewarded for their brilliance as they went home with a cheque of 250,000. The MVP of the team Yakubu Yahaya also won himself a Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 for his exploits.

Present at the event were past Nigerian Internationals, Joe Erico, coach of the MTN Football Scholars as well as Emmanuel Amunike. There was also a surprise appearance from Kukere crooner and Past Project Fame winner, Iyanya who thrilled the audience after the match.

It wasn't all football as the spectators went home with lots of freebies ranging from smartphones and branded T-shirts won from a raffle draw at the game.

The game was wrapped up with a surprise performance by MTN Ambassador, Iyana whose advent was well received by the excited crowd that cheered him up all through his performance.

The MTN Football Scholars initiative is a youth oriented program of MTN Nigeria aimed at providing credible platform for young boys between the ages of 14-17 years to excel and become top flight footballers.

Commending the initiative, Emmanuel Emenike who was in attendance said that MTN’s effortsin developing footballing talent in the country is well appreciated and thanked them for bringingthe initiative to life.

"The effort of MTN in creating this program is a welcome development and well appreciated.” He said.