Guardian

CAPTAIN Femi Solebo’s half century led the Chairman’s 11 to a six-wicket defeat of a team selected by the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) president in a memorial match in honour of the Late Efere Ozako at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval, Onikan, Lagos.

The game was organised by the Federal Government Warri Old Students Association Cricket Club for Ozako, who until his death in April 18, 2013, was the legal adviser of the Club Cricket Committee (CCC).

After losing opening batsman, Chris Shokoya, to Dipo Idowu’s bowling, the duo of Femi Solebo (81) and Mathias Devadayal (21) formed a solid partnership to guide their team to victory with 10 balls to spare.

In the first innings, Captain Emeka Onyema’s decision to bat first when he won the toss was proving to be a wrong decision early on in the game when Oris Oruye got the wickets of Olisa Egwuatu and Tade Ademola, before Tayo Atoloye (28 runs), Ayo Onafeko (28), Ephraim Barnaby (22 runs not out) and Emeka Onyeama (14 runs) all contributed a meaningful score of 123 runs for seven wickets in 20 overs.

Prior to the start of the second innings, the widow of the late cricketer, Anu Ozako, took time to shake hands with every cricketer present at the oval. Then followed glowing tributes paid to one of the initiators of Federal Government College Warri Old Students Association Cricket Club.

First to speak was his close associate, Peter Isibor, who said, “though the wife lost her darling husband, I can beat my chest to say all cricketers are ready to play the role of a husband and whenever she needs help either for herself or for the children she should not hesitate to ask.”

In the same vein, Femi Solebo, who is the CCC chairman, presented a plaque to the Mrs. Ozako, just as NCF President, Emeka Onyeama, eulogised the deceased, saying, “the Efere that I know was a perfect gentleman, who represented what the game of cricket depicts, but it is just unfortunate that he left us to the great beyond.”

Onyeama, who is the chairman of the Abuja Cricket Association, added that he would meet with the new NCF board to determine what to do for the Ozako Family.

In an emotion-filled atmosphere, Chairman of Delta State Cricket Association, Andrew Aroy-Ororho, who also doubles as captain of Federal Government College Warri Old Students Association Cricket Club, presented the last jersey won by the late Ozako to his wife, a gesture that drew tears from the eyes everyone present at the occasion.

Although the memorial match was a sombre event, it also presented Federal Government College Warri Old Students an opportunity to reunite and plan for the progress of their alma mater.