By Pelumi Adele
It was indeed a colourful atmosphere at the Redeemed Christian Church of God Camp ground Mowe, on Friday 13 March, 2026 for the grand finale of the General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God football tournament in honour of Daddy G,O’s birthday.
Pas E.A Adeboye clocked 84 years on 2nd March 2026 and the Director of Sports, Professor Raimi Moronfolu, who was recently elected as the President of Nigeria Society for Sports Management ( NSSM) felt that there is no better way to celebrated Daddy G.O’s birthday allowing Nigerian youths to tap from his anointing by bringing youths from various churches together in love for football competition held from 3-13 March, 2026.
With four churches, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, the Anglican Diocese Ibadan, the Apostolic Church and the Foursquare Gospel Church involved in the round robin format.
The event climaxed on Friday with the Redeemed (Dove FC ) and the Anglican Diocese Ibadan playing the final.
Both teams swung into action immediately the Chairman of the occasion, Pastor
Tonye Patrick Cole did the ceremonial kick-off at 2.40 pm but not before both the National and the Redeemed Church of God anthems had hit the airwave.
The host team, Redeemed (Dove FC) drew the first blood in the 17th minute of play when their utility play maker and tormentor-in-chief, Anuoluwapo Abiodun in Jersey no 9, that reminds me of Daniel ‘the ‘Bull’ Amokachi’ in his playing days with the Super Eagles of Nigeria, rattled the Anglican Diocese goal keeper, Adeniyi Awoniyi, for the games opener.
And charged like a roaring lion, Abiodun was everywhere on the pitch in search of more goals but couldn’t due to unpardonable misses until the centre referee, Mr. Mudashiru Sikiru, signaled for the end of the first half of the energy sapping encounter.
Just like it was in first 45 minutes , the second half wasn’t anything different only that the Anglican Diocese of Ibadan men resumed with an entirely renewed Virgo despite being one goal down.
They changed the tempo of the game and before you know it, the got the equalizer through a bullet short off the left foot of Kayode Adebanjo in the 61st of the 2nd half to even scores at 1-1 and threw the match open once again.
But that was the far the two teams went at the end of 90 minutes of play to allow penalties to separate the two sides.
At the end of penalty shootout just as it happened at the last African Cup of Nations where Nigeria lost 2-4 to Morocco in the semi-finals, the Anglican Diocese of Ibadan team triumphed with a 4-2 victory over Dove FC and ran home with the Daddy G.O’s giant trophy plus the cash award.
Foursquare FC won the fair play award while Favour Agi of the Apostolic Church was judged as the best player of the tournament.
Ayodele Pamilerin of the Anglican Diocese Ibadan emerged as the tournament highest goal scorer, while another Anglican Diocese of Ibadan player, Adeniyi Joshua won the best goalkeeper of the championship award..
Meanwhile, credit must be given to our father in the Lord, the birthday boy, Daddy G.O for being physical presence at the grande finale to hand over the giant trophy and awards to the deserving winners without sending a representative, which is seen as a great honour to the participating teams.
After the presentations, Daddy G.O took his time to pray and bless all that were present and even extended the prayers to their families and well wishers including Nigeria as a Nation. On
