The Nyanya Ward football team claimed the N2 million grand prize after defeating Wuse Ward 1-0 in a nail-biting penalty shootout to emerge champions of the 2024 Maikalangu Cup competition.
The match, held on Sunday evening at the Jikwoyi Mini Stadium in Abuja, saw Nyanya Ward take an early lead, scoring in the first half.
However, Wuse Ward quickly equalized, balancing the score before the halftime whistle.
The second half ended without any additional goals, leading to a penalty shootout, where Nyanya Ward secured their victory.
Wuse Ward, finishing in second place, took home N1 million, while Gui Ward received N500,000 for securing third place.
During the awards ceremony, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), expressed his delight at the successful tournament.
He commended the peaceful conduct of the participants and praised the teams’ performances.
Congratulating Nyanya Ward on their win, Maikalangu also recognized Wuse Ward for their commendable effort, emphasizing that all teams were winners due to their sportsmanship.
He acknowledged the role of AMAC youth in promoting respectful behavior and highlighted the importance of peaceful participation in the event.
He praised the organizers and players for sharing his vision of using sports as a means to empower the youth.
Maikalangu promised improvements for future tournaments, including increased financial and material support.
He encouraged more grassroots competitions to uncover local talents, asserting that ability should drive players’ success rather than connections.
“I thank God for the smooth flow of today’s event, which was incident-free. To me, every team is a winner, and I congratulate both Nyanya and Wuse Ward on their remarkable achievement.
“This tournament unites our youth and provides them with a platform to showcase their talents. Our mission is to discover promising players, support their aspirations, and change their lives,” he said.
The chairman emphasized that the focus extends beyond just prizes, aiming to identify talents that can be nurtured.
He expressed optimism about the potential of young players, stating, “Today, I saw young athletes who could reach greater heights,” fostering hope for a brighter future in Nigerian sports through community-oriented initiatives.
