IFA 2023: League rounds off group stage, sanctions 2 players

By Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki

The Izzi Football Association, the most popular local league in Ebonyi state has round off its 2023 group stage matches and set to commence quarter final. The Local Organizing committee chairman, Mr George Iboko made this known to Newsmen at Pa Ngele Oruta township stadium, Abakaliki on weekend. Iboko commended players for their professional disposition and cautioned teams against importing foreign players. He revealed that two teams have been sanctioned in the season for using foreign players and urged them to maintain the club rules and regulations. He said, "Since the kick off of the 2023 season, we have been doing our best, from Organizers, coaches, players and fans, and we have rounding off the group match this weekend.

"We have received four reports of non Indigenes participation which is against our rules, and two have been confirmed and during our meeting awarded the match against the team that defaulted. "we have three groups in the league, in group A, Igbeagu is toping, and Izzi DC leading in group B, while Ebonyi leading in group C. "In group A, two teams will qualify, while three teams will qualify in Group B, and three to qualify in group C, while we have the best looser. He further emphasized that on the completion of the group match that the quarter final would start on 10th December and assured players of transparent in ensuring no league used foreign player. "So, quarter final will start from 10th, however, the main target of this league match is to encourage talent development which was why this league was established in the year 2004. "We call on players to put their best as all we want is the best team to win the trophy and the management will continue to employ best professionals among technical team. "The best team will go home with 1,000,000, 2nd position;700,000 and third position 500,000 while others are going home with 50,000 each except the fourth position." he assured