Achiever Football Academy lost narrowly on penalties to glorious Arsenal Kiddies FA in the pulsating final match of the 2nd edition of the Olakunle Olusegun U13 Kwara Kids Cup tournament (OKKC).
Mercurial Vincent Ajayi, the Captain of the Arsenal kiddies, was the conductor-in-chief of the midfield ochestra in a keenly contested game played the A-Division Police Barracks playing field on Sunday 29th of December, 2024.
The first half ended in a goalless draw. At the resumption of the second half, Coach Kanu of Arsenal Kiddies made some tactical adjustments which led to Arsenal Kiddies pilling pressure on the opponent, but Achiever FA goalkeeper was rock solid in between the sticks.
Achiever boys sensing defeat, changed their tactics and decided to defend with every player behind the ball. In the dying minutes of the game, Ibrahim Asukuti of Arsenal Kiddies bounced on a loose ball at the edge of the penalty box, his terrific shot was parried over the bar by the hard working goalkeeper.
At the end of regulation time, there was nothing to separate both teams with score line reading goalless. In the resultant penalty kicks, Arsenal Kiddies Football Academy won by 3-2.
Kudos to both teams for a good display of soccer artistry. Cash prizes were given to the best four teams of the tournament, as well as the individual award winners.
Vincent Ajayi of Arsenal Kiddies was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament. Taiwo Atoti of Achiever FA won the Best Goalkeeper award, while Goodluck Oladimeji of Arsenal Kiddies Football Academy was the Highest Goal Scorer award.
In a chat with Sportspro News, Coach Soni Aamioje, the founder and Technical Director of Arsenal Kiddies FA, who is also the organizer of the tournament stated that the competition was organized to give back to the society.
‘Olakunle Olusegun is a product of the grassroots and he has decided to give back to his constituency.
‘We are keen on giving everybody a sense of belonging in this competition. It is not all about winning but discovering and developing young talents at the grassroots”
The highlights of the day were the presentation of a special gift to Olakunle Olusegun for being the first player of the Academy to play in FIFA U17 World Cup and also the first to play professional football in Europe.
DSP Emmanuel D. Ameh (retd), the Acting O/C Band of the Kwara State Police Command, Sportspro News Publisher, Bayour Issah, the Kwara State YSFON Chairman, Mallam Ademola Kayesola, Coach (Sir) Paul Odey and the father of the sponsor, Mr. Alayode Olusegun were all among the dignitaries at the final match.
