Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu is on the verge of making history as the first top politician to lead a football team to a gold medal finish at the National Sports Festival, as Team Edo battle Team Lagos in the final of the men’s football event on Monday (today).
Hosts Edo and Lagos states have proven to be the best sides in the football event of the competition, as they will also clash in the women’s final.
Shaibu, who is the captain of the Edo team at the festival, was on for the final 15 minutes in the final Group A 2-1 win over Team FCT, in his first outing at the event, as the hosts booked a semi-final ticket.
He was also involved as Edo recorded a resounding 3-1 win over Imo on Sunday, to set up a final clash against Lagos, who defeated champions FCT 3-0 in the other semi-final.
There were cheers from the crowd at the UNIBEN sports complex Friday as Shaibu, who is also the Chairman, Local Organising Committee of the festival, warmed up to make his first appearance at the Games as an athlete against FCT.
During his short stint on the pitch, Shaibu, who was handed the captain’s armband, had four successful dribbles, three key passes and was fouled on two occasions.
In the 2017/18 Nigeria National League season, Shaibu was a registered player for Insurance FC and played a game against Spartans at the Agege Stadium, Lagos, as the Edo side made a return to the country’s topflight league.
It was the first time a top politician will feature in professional football in the country, as a player in the women’s event, Edo booked a place in the final following a 1-0 victory over fierce rivals Delta, while Lagos humiliated Kaduna 4-0 in the other semi-final.
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