The decisive golden goal sail through the post and
Kano Titan patron and captain Kano polo Tajudeen Dantata closed his eyes and looked
skyward as he celebrate another important victory. Tajudeen has played an
inspiring role in all his Titan’s victory memories, and this one was no
different.
''Attacking polo has been our hallmark that has
fetched us great victories over the years,'' Dantata said, his eyes watering
with joy. ''I think the boys understood that believing was the most important thing,
and I think they did.''
Wearing the trademark red and blue jersey with the
silhouette symbol of their beloved Titan on their left sleeve, the Kano polo
kings won the Emir of Kano Cup in a stunning comeback that would dominate media
headlines for long.
The much waited MTN International Polo Tournament
that took the ancient city of Kano by storm has come and gone, but the enduring
legacies of the historic fiesta would remain for long in the mind of thousands
who witnessed the grand event and the millions who followed it on the media.
Kano Polo Chairman, Bashir Dantata who had
participated in every Kano tournament since 1978 till date, picked the titanic
cup final that went straight to the wire as one of the biggest highlights of
the grand event that would linger for years to come.
The Kano polo boss who participated in the fiesta
alongside three of his sons, Bashir, Abba and Baba described the sensational
victory as an apt momentous highlight that truly celebrated the depth of Kano polo
and the promise of what the future holds for the club and the game.
One such winner that took off from where they left
off two years ago, are the Kano polo reigning kings, Titan (1) who took their
attacking polo style record to a new height, winning their first Emir of Kano title
since the royal crown was elevated to be the biggest prize at stake in Kano two
years ago.
To win the Emir of Kano Cup, Tajudeen and his Titan
warriors relied on the spectacular forms of
their South African import, Duncan
Watson who scored the million Dollar
goal against Lagos Machines in the nerve wrecking sudden death chukka to give
the champions their hard earned victory.
Pitched against the hard fighting Lagos Machines
that boosted the likes of Lance Watson, Bashir Dantata (jnr.), Ahamdu Umar and
Ali Birjawi, Titans who had earlier lost their opening game to the Lagosians,
fought the battle of their lives, forcing the game to the cliff hanging sudden
death with final scores at 6-6.
The resultant
tension soaked sudden death chukka pumped more adrenaline with Titans losing a
thirty yarder and Machine throwing a golden chance with just two minutes left
on the cloak.
The winning goal that separated the two came in the
last gasps attack by Titan, with Watson lashing on a poor pass to score the
seventh and the all important golden goal in the last minute of the nerve wrecking
final.
Embolden by Titan’s victory, host Kano polo club
added two major titles in a commanding performance that highlighted the
improved competitive prowess of Kano teams. Returnee Kano Rima powered by
Hassan Ghamal defeated a strong field of five teams to win the Dangote Cup,
while
Kano YY out paced Titans (2) to win their first
Dantata Cup title. The last of the four major titles, went to the top firing
Lagos Agad who defeated a record thirteen other teams to cart home the coveted MRS
Cup.
Ibadan Club that fielded two teams in the Kano
firestorm this year, could only managed MRS Cup runners-up finish after Ibadan Challenge
succumbed to the fire power of Lagos Agad in the final.
Other glittering prizes carted home the winners
include the Muhammadu Sanusi Cup, Governor’s Cup, General Hassan Cup, General Abacha Cup Dantata & Sawoe Cup,
Beginners Cup and the Veterans Cup, among
others.
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