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Mgbuka FC clinch inaugural Game Changer Unity Cup title
Mgbuka FC of Apo on Sunday emerged champions of the maiden edition of the 2026 Game Changer Unity Cup football tournament after defeating Tyre Plaza FC 1–0 in Abuja.
The Unity Cup came to a fanfare climax on Sunday evening, at the final played at the “Stadium of Light” within Covenant Garden Estate, Apo Dutse, Abuja, where several thousands of people within and around Apo, Garki, Lokogoma, Durumi and Kabusa, came out to experience the finale.
The competition which lasted for about 2 months, having commenced on June 5 was concluded on 9th August as 16 teams formed from associations and community of Mechanics, Car dealers, Spare parts sellers, Tire sellers amongst many others participated.
Mgbuka FC secured the decisive victory in the final after a competitive encounter with Tyre Plaza FC, who had remained unbeaten throughout the tournament until the final.
Speaking after the final, Onyeka Eze , Chairman of the Abuja Automobile Spare Parts Dealers Association,expressed gratitude to God and everyone who contributed to the success of the tournament.
“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.
He explained that the competition was organised to promote unity within the Apo community and create an avenue for young people to develop their talents through football.
“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.
Eze also appreciated the players, supporters, organisers and residents who contributed 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.
At the center of the organisation of the maiden edition of the Unity Cup was Nureni Makanjuola, Chairman of Water FC, who used his football experience and technical expertise to help the community achieve the maiden edition with the final held on the home ground of his football club. He commended the media and the organisers for their efforts in promoting grassroots football.
He said the Game Changer initiative was driven by a passion for grassroots development and had succeeded in attracting a large crowd to the tournament.
“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 importance of sustaining the tournament and using football as a platform to empower young people.
“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 community leaders, including the AMAC Chairman, Mr. Philip Zaka Maikalangu, as well as councillors and other dignitaries who supported the tournament.
He called for the competition to be expanded to other parts of Abuja as a way of using football to promote youth development and empowerment.
Chukwujekwu Nwanze, captain of Mgbuka FC, described the victory as a fantastic and attributed his team’s success to consistent training, teamwork, ball possession.
“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.
Winners Mgbuka FC of Apo received a medal, trophy and N1,000,000 , while Tyre Plaza FC received N500,000 and a trophy and NATA FC , came third place to received N300,000. at the end of the competition.
