By Joel Ajayi
The much-anticipated Kuje Football League kicked off in grand style as Amazing Grace FC delivered a commanding 3-1 victory over Firestone FC in the opening match of the tournament.
Organized by the Kuje Football Association, the maiden edition of the league is aimed at fostering talent discovery and promoting unity through football across the Kuje Area Council.
The opening game, held at the Kuje Township Stadium, showcased a dominant performance from Amazing Grace FC. Nabala Vincent, wearing jersey number 8, opened the scoring early in the first half and quickly followed up with a second goal, completing a brace to give his team a 2-0 lead.
Just ten minutes later, Joseph Emmanuel extended the lead with a well-taken goal, putting Amazing Grace FC 3-0 ahead. Despite the pressure, Firestone FC managed to pull one back later in the game through Samuel Otisi, narrowing the final scoreline to 3-1.
With this strong start, Amazing Grace FC has set the tone for what promises to be an exciting and competitive tournament.
Speaking after the match, one of the sponsors of the league, Managing Director of Defemak Concepts Ltd., Akinwale Femi Stephen, praised the initiative, calling it a timely platform for youth development.
“This tournament is a bold and timely intervention in the effort to give the youth a voice through sport. Honestly, this is what we have been clamouring for, especially to keep the youth engaged. There is so much untapped talent out there, and football is a powerful tool that brings people together. I think this is a truly commendable and well-organized competition,” he said.
Also lending his support, Mr. Alex Alale, representative of Solution Estate, expressed his company’s commitment to the initiative.
“We are ready to assist in every aspect of this project. This is one of the best ways to connect with the youth. We’ve been in this community and understand the importance of initiatives like this. When the idea was presented to us, I keyed in 100%,” he stated.
As the tournament continues, anticipation builds for more thrilling matches and the opportunity for young talents to shine on the local stage.
