Unity Football Club on Thursday, June 5, 2025, emerged champions of the maiden edition of Akorede Exchange Football Tournament, after edging Achievers FC 1-0 in the final.

Ayandele Samuel scored the only goal of the match that was decided at Sheikh Abdulkadri College field, Ilorin.

16 youth clubs participated in the competition organised by a student of Michael Imuodu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Alamu Adeniyi Akorede, who is also a footballer.

The teams are Dream Makers FC, International FC, VBIC FC, Giwa FC, Elite FC, Supreme FC, Young FC, Romeo FC, Ultimate FC, Future Stars, Vision FC, Musey FC, Emirate FC, Forward FC, and the two finalists, Achievers FC and Unity FC.

Unity FC defeated UBIC FC 6-5 on penalties, after playing out a goalless draw at regulation time, while Achievers FC edged Elite FC 2-1 in the second semi-final, to both reach the final.

Coach Abdullahi Sulaiman of Achievers FC was voted as the Best Coach of the tournament. Owolabi Abdullahi, also of Achievers FC emerged as Best Goalkeeper, while Abdulwahab Razaq of Vision FC was chosen as the Best Player.

Present at the final are Chief Bolaji Lawrence, who is the father of the organizer, Hon. Duro Mohammed, Coach Jimoh Funsho Razaq, Coach Olokode Mustapha (Musty), Imam Daud Al-Asowiy, Alhaji Abdulwahab Ottan, Mr. Murtala Ologede, Mr. Opeyemi Amoo and Mr. Ogar Joseph, a Lecture of Industrial Relations and Personnel Management at MINILS, among others.

Akorede, who promised to stage the second edition later this year, was honoured by the coaches of the teams that participated in the tournament.