BY SAB OSUJI

Imo Strikers have continue to endear themselves into the hearts of football freaks at the ongoing Ifeanyi Chiejine Memorial Cup Championship, here in Asaba.

The girls of Nelly Orisakwe may not be as smooth playing as Barcelona and Arsenal, but the squad has everything moulded into the Real Madrid fashion.

Every opportunity counts for goal as the duo of Chidi Harmony and Oscar Precious continue to paint the tournament red with goals. Harmony on Friday hit her second hattrick in four games of the tournament as Imo Strikers whitewash Papa Soccer 6-0 in a quarter final match decided at St Patrick's College, Asaba. Her strike partner, Oscar Precious, grabbed a brace in the rout.

The Arugo Girls left things late, playing out a goalless first half during which they spotted Papa Soccer weaknesses which they effectively utilised in the second period.  The pace of Harmony and Precious was too much for the Eko Girls to deal with as the goals keep pouring in at every move. Six goals in only one half of a game is indeed something take note of.

With a total of 13 goals haul in just four games, and clean sheet in the four games, Imo Strikers have indeed struck fears into their possible semi final foes on Saturday.

"Last year when we first participated in this championship, we finished on second position", says Imo Strikers Proprietor, Prince Chidi Chinedu.

"Though at that time, the number of participating teams was not as high as we have in this year's edition. But that doesn't take anything away from our desire to go one better this time out", the young Prince pointed out.

Despite her team's emphatic and overwhelming performance here, Coach Nelly Orisakwe remains cool headed and refusing to be carried away.

"We're happy for the win. Every single game is as tough as victory is important and sweet.

"The players gave out a good performance. I'm proud of them and I must confess that the scoreline does not in anyway take away the quality of our opponents because the game was really tough being a knock out game", Orisakwe said.