Sam Okwaraji U-16 Championship: GSS Owerri Books Place in Imo State Finals

Posted : 04 July 2026

Government Secondary School (GSS), Owerri, has secured a place in the Imo State finals of the maiden FirstBank Samuel Okwaraji U-16 Secondary Schools Football Championship after emerging champions of the Owerri Zone qualifiers.

GSS Owerri produced an outstanding performance throughout the zonal competition, defeating Ubomiri Comprehensive High School, Ubomiri, Mbaitoli, 2-0 in the semi-finals before overcoming hosts Owerri City School by the same scoreline in the final to claim the zonal title.

Owerri City School had earlier advanced to the final after edging Comprehensive Secondary School, Amakohia, Uratta, Owerri North, 1-0 in the second semi-final.

With the Owerri Zone concluded, the race for the remaining places in the Imo State finals now shifts to the Okigwe Zone, where Okigwe Grammar School, St. Theresa Secondary School, Alaike, Obowo, St. Dominic Secondary School, Ugiri, Isiala Mbano, and Boys Secondary School, Umualumaku, Ehime Mbano, will battle for qualification.

The winners from the Okigwe and Orlu zones will join GSS Owerri in the state finals, scheduled to take place at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri. The eventual state champions will represent Imo at the South-East zonal championship.

The maiden competition is organised by the Samuel Okwaraji Foundation in partnership with the Nigerian School Sports Federation (NSSF), the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the National Sports Commission (NSC), and the National Institute for Sports (NIS), with sponsorship from FirstBank Nigeria.

The tournament honours the memory of former Super Eagles midfielder Samuel Okwaraji, who died while representing Nigeria during a 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Angola on Aug. 12, 1989.

Beyond celebrating his legacy of patriotism and sacrifice, the championship is aimed at revitalising school sports, discovering young football talent, and creating opportunities for mentorship, scholarships, and exposure to professional scouts.

Following the state championships, winners from across the country will progress to their respective zonal competitions, with the top two teams from each of the six geopolitical zones qualifying for the national finals at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.

The championship continues to provide a platform for nurturing young footballers while preserving the legacy of Samuel Okwaraji, with participating schools aiming to secure a place in the national finals.

Sam Okwaraji U-16 Championship: GSS Owerri Books Place in Imo State Finals

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