Mgbuka FC of Apo on Sunday defeat Tyre Plaza FC 1-0 to clinch the maiden 2026 Game Changer Unity Cup,  in the final in Abuja.

The final took place at the Stadium of Light within Covenant Garden Estate, Apo-Dutse, Abuja.

The tournament that began on June 5, featured 16 teams and concluded on Sunday after more than two months of competition.

Mgbuka FC claimed victory after a closely contested encounter against Tyre Plaza FC, who had remained unbeaten throughout the tournament before the final.

Speaking after the match, Abuja Automobile Spare Parts Dealers Association Chairman and Mgbuka FC Executive Chairman, Onyeka Eze, thanked God and supporters.

“Today marks the end of the Game Changer Unity Cup. We thank God that everything was successful,” Eze said.

He said the competition was organised to foster unity in Apo and create opportunities for young people to develop their football talents.

“I thank the whole of Apo for supporting us in any way you did. God will reward you,” he added.

Nureni Makanjuola of Water FC praised the organisers and media for promoting grassroots football and supporting youth development through sport.

“Game Changer truly loves grassroots football and believes in structures that can take this competition to the next level,” Makanjuola said.

He urged organisers to sustain the tournament and expand it to other parts of Abuja to discover more young talents.

Makanjuola also commended Abuja Municipal Area Council chairman, Philip Maikalangu, councillors and other dignitaries for supporting the initiative.

Mgbuka FC captain, Chukwujekwu Nwanze, described the triumph as a fitting reward for the team’s dedication and preparation.

“I am very happy. Winning the cup in the final is a great feeling. The officiating went well and the fans were fantastic,” he said.

Nwanze attributed the victory to consistent training, teamwork, quality players and effective ball possession throughout the tournament.

Tyre Plaza FC captain, Ugochukwu Elekwachi, congratulated the organisers and described the competition as a valuable experience despite defeat.

He said his side performed well but lacked the fortune required to secure victory in the final.

“We are not giving up. By next season, we will come out stronger,” Elekwachi said.

Tyre Plaza FC coach, Francis Chimobi, praised his players for reaching the final and commended the peaceful organisation of the tournament.

“I am not disappointed. I will tell my boys to come out stronger next season,” Chimobi said.

He added that the competition provided an important platform for grassroots football development and attracted significant community support.

Mgbuka FC received the trophy, medals and N1 million prize money for emerging champions.

Tyre Plaza FC earned N500,000 and a trophy as runners-up, while third-placed NATA FC received N300,000.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have been eliminated from the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after a 1-0 quarter-final defeat to Cameroon on Sunday in Casablanca.

Cameroon’s 19-year-old forward, Myriam Nyadjou, scored the only goal of the match in the 19th minute with a powerful free-kick that beat Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.

The defending champions pushed hard for an equaliser, but Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina produced several impressive saves to keep Nigeria at bay.

Nigeria came closest to scoring in stoppage time when Esther Okoronkwo found herself with an opportunity, but her effort went wide.

Six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala was introduced late in the game after recovering from an injury, but she could not change the outcome.

The defeat means Nigeria have missed out on an automatic qualification ticket for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil and will now have to rely on the play-offs to secure a place at the tournament.

Cameroon will face hosts Morocco in the WAFCON semi-final on Wednesday.

The defeat is only Nigeria’s second loss to Cameroon in 14 WAFCON meetings.

Nigeria, who are record 10-time African champions, reached the Round of 16 at the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where they were eliminated by England on penalties.

A member of the Taraba  House of Assembly,  Tanko  Yusuf, has urged basketball coaches to unite and support grassroots development of the sport.

A statement by Kayode Adeniyi, Head of Media and Public Relations, Amateur Basketball Academies (ABA), said Tanko made the call during a two-day coaching clinic in Jalingo.

Tanko, who is also Chairman, Taraba  Basketball Association, said Taraba had talented coaches, players and referees capable of competing favourably with their counterparts within and outside Nigeria.

“We know that we have talented coaches, players and excellent referees, but we must remain focused, united and committed to continuous learning,” Tanko said.

He urged coaches to embrace modern coaching methods, share knowledge and create opportunities for young players to develop their skills and achieve their potential.

According to him, unity among stakeholders was critical to rebuilding basketball from the grassroots and positioning Taraba as a major basketball hub in Nigeria.

Tanko commended ABA for bringing the coaching clinic to Taraba, describing the initiative as timely and important to developing coaches and young basketball players.

“I encourage other stakeholders to support ABA’s vision because sustainable basketball development requires collective efforts, proper training and consistent investment in coaches and players,” he said.

He  urged coaches to effectively use the knowledge gained from the clinic and transfer it to players at the grassroots.

The President and Founder of ABA, Deputy Comptroller Aliyu Abubakar of the Nigeria Customs Service, urged participants to embrace the association’s new vision.

Abubakar said the theme of the clinic, “DRIVE,” represented five qualities essential for every successful basketball coach: diligence, respect, inspiration, value and education.

“Through these qualities, we can build a new generation of coaches capable of taking grassroots basketball in Nigeria to greater heights,” he said.

Abubakar urged coaches to ensure that their determination remained stronger than their challenges and their character greater than their ambition.

He said coaches should remain committed to developing young people beyond personal recognition, stressing that their responsibilities extended beyond the basketball court.

“As coaches, we are teachers, mentors, leaders, role models and guardians of the dreams of young athletes,” Abubakar said.

He added that coaches were helping to shape the future of Nigerian basketball and, more importantly, the future of young Nigerians.

Declaring the clinic open, Chairman, Taraba State Sports Development Commission, Coach Bulus Hussaini, urged participants to use the training to transform basketball development in the state.

Hussaini pledged the state government’s support and assistance to basketball stakeholders whenever necessary.

Twenty-five coaches from basketball academies are participating in the clinic, where they will receive lectures on coaching ethics, player development and coach-player relationships.

Other topics include “Who is a Coach?” and other areas designed to strengthen coaching capacity and improve grassroots basketball development.

The clinic is expected to equip participants with practical knowledge and skills needed to nurture young talents and promote sustainable basketball development in Taraba.