BY SAB OSUJI

Ozalla Football Academy has shifted its focus and attention to the NLO U-19 Youth League after embarking on several talent hunt exercises across the country with its train now headed for Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode for the obvious Southern Conference 'Rumble In The Jungle' contest billed to get underway on 5 October, 2024, Exclusivenews.com.ng reports.

After spells at Uyo and Abuja amongst other places where the talent and potentials of his youngsters were tested with some eventually earning their career breakthroughs, Ozalla FA, winners of Anambra FA Cup in 2023, have taken stock of those exercises and are now aiming for the big pie at the Ijebu-Ode thriller.

Exclusivenews.com.ng checks reveal that no fewer than 12 teams from the Southern part of the country will gather at the magnificent Ijebu-Ode facility with the teams pooled into three groups of four.

Tournament schedule indicates that after a League playoff in the group phase, Table toppers after the group matches will qualify for the Zonal round-robin games amongst the three group winners.

Further checks indicate that with teams arrival date slated for 2 October, with documentation slated for 3-4 October, the real contest starts on October 5 with two matches every day.

After the group games on 10 October, the three group winners will engage each other to determine which team emerges overall winners of the Southern Conference.

This will take place from 12 October and is expected to end on 15th when the Zonal champions will emerge. The Southern Conference champions will the engage their Northern Conference champions counterparts on 20 October to bring the competition which started in July to a fitting end.

Ozalla FA have since upped the tempo of their preparation for the Ijebu-Ode showpiece. Exclusivenews.com.ng was at their Wednesday's morning training where coach Felix Aguguom drilled the young players on the basics of the game.

President of the club, Ikenna Osueke calmly spoke on his dreams for the championship.

"Everyone coming to Ijebu-Ode has the ultimate ambition to win", starts the young club boss.

"We, too, would want to win, which is reason we're participating in the first place. But, you see, its not a do or die affair. We're 12 teams aiming for the top spot, but at the end, only one will get it. And it's only God that has already known which team that will win.

"We'll do our best by working hard and pray that God gives us a successful tournament", the young club financier fondly called 'Coach', summed up.