By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
Legend FC of AMAC defeated Maracana FC of Kwali in a 2-1 football match in Saturday in Abuja to lift the maiden Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi FCT unity football championship.
The grand finale match played at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, brought to an end the one month competition among teams from the six area councils of the FCT.
Kelechi Francis of Legend FC scored in the 38th minute before Sheriff Idris of Maracana FC equalized for the Kwali boys on in the second half of the game in the 47th minute.
Francis, however, sealed victory for the Legend boys with a clean finish in the 52nd minute, to ensure a 2-1 victory for Legend FC.
In third place match competition, Kickers FC defeated N-Youth FC 5-4 on penalties, after regulation time ended 2-2.
Mrs Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, organiser of the championship, in an interview with journalists after the match say that the competition was organised to foster unity and discover grassroots talent scattered across the FCT.
The media entrepreneur and former All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial aspirant for FCT, emphasized that 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.”
“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.”
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 competition, Benjamins-Laniyi said.
