Former Aris Thesaloniki of Greece and Otelu Galati of Romania sensation, Ikechukwu Ibe was the unmistakable man of the match on Saturday, as he led Lugna Properties into winning the 2025 Werblack Wines Synergy Cup organised by Island All Stars Club (IASC).
Sports247 was there live to witness turbo-charged action, as the recreation and leisure competition hit a climax in the Lekki area of Lagos and Team Lugna were crowned champions with a 2-0 win over Drexel Apartments.
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After the final whistle to end Saturday’s final, an excited Ibe told Sports247 that it was a very interesting match, then thanked all his teammates for giving their very best to ensure they went home with the glittering trophy and prize money at stake.
Ibe retorted, “It was a great game for the whole team. We came all out to win the match because we knew that a draw would not be good enough for us.
“All of us knew that if we played a draw, we would not become champions, and we would miss the cup. So, everybody came out with full determination that we had to win this last match.”
Ibe, who also played for Jasper United of Onitsha and Heartland of Owerri before taking his football career overseas, but is now a Lagos-based businessman, declared further that he is happy with all his colleagues at Team Lugna for how they put in their best effort during Saturday’s final.
He disclosed further, “At the start of the game, we all wanted to play well and give the best of ourselves. That’s why I must appreciate everybody in the team for how they did very, very well in this match.
“We all really did well. I deeply appreciate the coaching crew, the TM, the players, and our fans … everybody in the team. We all did everything we could to win the game, and I am really happy about that.”
Ibe also admitted that the match was tougher than the scoreline suggested, as Drexel wanted to stop Lugna from winning the cup at all costs, just as other teams tried by ensuring his squad drew their fourth match and lost the fifth one after winning the first three in grand style.
“We knew there would be pressure on us in the second stage of the competition, because other teams knew we had already won three matches.
“We knew other teams were coming out for us. After seeing us win three straight matches, nobody wanted us to win again; but we fought our way out, and I thank God that we eventually won the cup. For that, I am so, so grateful,” Ibe reiterated.
He then dedicated the trophy to everyone who worked tirelessly to ensure that Lugna won the competition tagged Werblack Wines Synergy Cup 2025 and gave kudos to members of the IASC’s organising committee for a job well done.
“I dedicate this victory to the whole team, and to everybody that supported us. They did very well. So, the victory is for everybody who was with us and I’m very happy for the whole team.
“The competition itself was super, and I urge the organisers to keep on doing their best. They should keep on improving the tournament and make it look much better every year,” Ibe supplicated.
