Apace defeats Cedemac and is four-time champion of the Northeast Regional

Maicon hugs goalkeeper Matheus Costa after scoring the title (Photo: Renan Cacioli/CBDV)

The Northeast has its own in blind football! For the third edition in a row, Apace (Associação Paraibana de Cegos) won the title of the Northeast Regional of the sport. In the final played this Saturday (27), in João Pessoa, the home team beat Cedemac (Centro Desportivo Maranhense de Cegos) 1-0. This is Apace’s fourth regional title: 2011, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

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In the final, Apace showed all its offensive power, giving trouble to Jairo, from Cedemac, who was voted the best goalkeeper in the competition. But with a shot from Maicon in the second half, the team from Paraíba managed to score the goal that guaranteed their fourth title. “It is the continuation of two years of work and, each year, we grow more. This title is just the heart of the work. It was a great match. Three-time champions, and let’s prepare now for the Brazilian Championship!”, said Apace coach, Júlio César Macena, known as Cesinha. In August, he will be the caller for the Brazilian team at the Paris Paralympic Games.

Earlier, the third place match took place. Adesul-CE (Associação D’Eficiência Superando Limites) won the bronze medal after beating Ajece-BA (Associação Jequieense de Cegos) 3-0. There were two goals from Italian Paul Iyobo, who was the competition’s top scorer with seven goals, while Carlinhos scored the third for the Ceará team. This is Adesul’s first medal in a Northeast Regional.