Legend FC of AMAC defeated Maracana FC of Kwali 2-1 to lift the maiden Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi FCT unity football championship, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, Nigeria.
The grand finale played signalled the end of a month-long competition amongst teams from the six area councils of the Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Legend FC’s Kelechi Francis opened scoring in the 38th minute, before Sheriff Idris of Maracana FC restored parity for the Kwali boys on resumption of the second half in the 47th minute. However, Francis sealed victory for the Legend boys with a clean finish in the 52nd minute, ensuring a 2-1 victory for Legend FC.
Organiser of the championship, Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, told journalists after the match that the competition was organised to foster unity and discover grassroots talent scattered across the FCT. She said sports could serve as a veritable tool for empowering Nigerian youth and promoting unity in the country.
“This inaugural competition is meant to engage our youth and promote unity in the country, starting with FCT,” Benjamins-Laniyi said.
“If there is no unity, there cannot be a nation. So, we are trying to use sports to bring about positive change, get our youths off the streets, and build a great nation.”
She added that ex-internationals such as Kanu Nwankwo and Femi Ajilore were selected as ambassadors of the competition to give inspiration and mentorship to young talents discovered at the competition.
Earlier in the third place match, Kickers FC defeated N-Youth FC 5-4 on penalties, after regulation time ended 2-2.
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