By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
Mgbuka FC of Apo have been crowned champions of the inaugural 2026 Game Changer Unity Cup after edging Tyre Plaza FC 1–0 in a keenly contested final in Abuja.
The final, played on Sunday, at the “Stadium of Light” inside Covenant Garden Estate, Apo Dutse, attracted thousands of spectators from Apo and neighbouring communities including Garki, Lokogoma, Durumi and Kabusa.
The grassroots tournament, which began on June 5 and lasted for more than two months, featured 16 teams drawn from associations and communities of mechanics, car dealers, spare-parts sellers, tyre dealers and other automobile-related businesses.
Mgbuka FC produced the decisive moment in the final to claim the title, ending Tyre Plaza FC’s unbeaten run in the competition.
Speaking after the final, Chairman of the Abuja Automobile Spare Parts Dealers Association, Onyeka Eze, thanked God, the organisers, players, supporters and residents for making the tournament a success.
“Today is the final match of the Game Changer Unity Cup. This is the end of the tournament, and we thank God that everything was successful,” he said.
Eze explained that the competition was conceived not only as a football tournament but also as a platform for strengthening unity within the Apo community and giving young people an opportunity to develop their footballing talents.
“This football is to unite Apo. We have been battling in this tournament for more than two months, but we made it to the end today and everybody is happy. The whole of Apo is happy,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation to everyone who supported the competition financially, through prayers or by attending the matches.
“I thank everybody here for supporting us. I thank the whole of Apo for supporting us in any way you did — through prayers, coming to watch the games or financially. God will reward you,” he added.
The maiden edition was coordinated by Nureni Makanjuola, Chairman of Water FC, who brought his football experience and technical expertise to the organisation of the competition.
With the final taking place at the home ground of his football club, Makanjuola commended the organisers and the media for their role in promoting grassroots football.
He said the Game Changer initiative was born out of a passion for developing football from the grassroots and noted that the tournament had succeeded in drawing a massive crowd.
“Game Changer is a person who really loves grassroots football. He believes in grassroots structures that can take this competition to the next level,” Makanjuola said.
He stressed the need to sustain the competition and use football as a tool for youth empowerment and community development.
“We will not forget what we are trying to do in Nigeria about grassroots development. You can see the thousands of people here. They are happy, and that is what we want to achieve,” he said.
Makanjuola also acknowledged the support of community leaders, including AMAC Chairman, Mr. Philip Zaka Maikalangu, councillors and other dignitaries who contributed to the success of the tournament.
He further called for the competition to be expanded to other parts of Abuja to deepen youth development and empowerment through football.
Mgbuka FC captain, Chukwujekwu Nwanze, described the victory as a memorable reward for the team’s hard work throughout the tournament.
“I am very happy. Winning the cup in the final is a great feeling. The officiating went well and the fans were also fantastic,” Nwanze said.»
He attributed the team’s success to their consistent training, teamwork, ball possession and the quality of players within the squad.
“What made my team stand out against the other teams in this tournament is that we have been training together. From the beginning of the tournament, our ball possession has been good, and as players we have been working together. We also have quality players,” he said.
Despite missing out on the trophy, Tyre Plaza FC captain, Ugochukwu Elekwachi, congratulated the organisers and described the tournament as a positive experience.
“We played very well, but we did not have the luck today. The competition was wonderful, and I pray that a competition like this will come up again next time,” Elekwachi said.
Elekwachi pointed out that Tyre Plaza FC had remained unbeaten until the final but promised that the team would return stronger in the next edition.
“We are not giving up. By next season, we will come out stronger. For me, this has been one of the best grassroots competitions, and we pray that this type of tournament continues,” he said.
Tyre Plaza FC coach, Francis Chimobi, also praised his players for reaching the final and described their run as a significant achievement.
“It is a game between two teams that came out together and met in the final. I am okay, and I am not disappointed to be in this position. I will tell my boys to come out stronger next season,” Chimobi said.»
He described the Game Changer Unity Cup as a peaceful and impactful grassroots competition, noting that the huge turnout demonstrated the community’s enthusiasm for football.
At the end of the tournament, champions Mgbuka FC received a trophy, medals and N1 million in prize money.
Runners-up Tyre Plaza FC received N500,000 and a trophy, while NATA FC, who finished third, received N300,000.
The presentation of trophies and medals to the victorious Mgbuka FC players brought the curtain down on more than two months of competitive grassroots football in Apo, with organisers expressing hopes that the Game Changer Unity Cup will return bigger and stronger next season.
