BY SAB OSUJI

BONFA Football Academy, representing Diocese on the Niger have sealed their place in the final of the 2023/2024 Provincial Football League following a hard fought 5-3 win over Ogbaru Diocese.

BONFA twice came from behind to overcome the fit fighting Ogbaru, who led 2-0 and later 3-2 before the Bishop Owen Nwokolo Football Academy staged a late rally to tie up a full time 3-3 scoreline, thus, dragging the six-goal thriller into penalty kicks.

In the other semi final match also decided at the Rojenny Stadium, Oba, near Onitsha, Awka Diocese defeated Nnewi Diocese 3-2 to earn the bragging right to feature in the final against BONFA at the Awka City Stadium.

In the grueling contest,  Awka managed to grind out a 3-2 result that kept every spectator on edge at the Rojenny stadium.

Nnewi's 'shock' defeat was self-inflicted as they inexplicably lost a plethora of obvious goal-scoring chances.

Awka will now slug it out with the Diocese On The Niger (who beat their Diocese of Ogbaru opponents 5-3).

Date for the final match has not been fixed by the organisers, but Exclusivenews.com.ng checks reveal that the final will hold next month (May).

The 3rd-place match which will pair Ogbaru against Nnewi will also be decided on the day of the final.

Coordinator of BONFA, Sir Victor Nwangwu, will stop at nothing in heaping praises on the BONFA President, Bishop Owen Nwokolo, for his moral, spiritual and financial support for the academy.

"Without his unassuming support, especially in initiating the BONFA move, one wonders where or what these talents would have become", Nwangwu, a former Rangers ace said.

"So, we can't thank him enough. He's been a father figure for us. His motivation, morally and otherwise, have been the driving force behind the team and we can only reciprocate that gesture by being disciplined, dedicated and always on the positive side of excellence", Nwangwu, a former Anambra FA Secretary, promised.