Cohesion Football Tournament Produces New Champions as Seventh Edition Ends in Lagos

Right to Smile FA, O&A Sports Academy, and Wazbak Queens emerged as champions at the seventh edition of the Cohesion Football Tournament, which concluded after two days of high-intensity grassroots football on Wednesday, December 17, and Thursday, December 18, 2025, at the Union Bank Stable, Surulere, Lagos.

The Under-15 male final delivered a gripping contest, with Right to Smile FA displaying resilience and tactical maturity to defeat Adhoc FA 2–1 and secure the title. In the Under-13 male category, O&A Sports Academy claimed the championship following a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Primhous FA, underpinned by disciplined defending and clinical execution. The female category saw Wazbak Queens extend their dominance, edging Unification Ladies 1–0 to retain their title and become the first female team to win the Cohesion Football Tournament in consecutive editions.

For winning the Under-15 male category, Right to Smile FA received a ₦500,000 cash prize from headline sponsor Viva, while runners-up Adhoc FA were awarded ₦250,000. O&A Sports Academy, champions of the Under-13 male category, earned a ₦100,000 grant prize. In the female category, Wazbak Queens also collected ₦500,000, with finalists Unification Ladies taking home ₦250,000. Individual excellence was recognised as Adeniran Abibat of Wazbak Queens was named Female Most Valuable Player, Adebayo Oduroye of Right to Smile FA claimed the Under-15 MVP award, and Adesanya Emmanuel of Primhous FA emerged as Under-13 MVP.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, tournament convener Damilare Obagbemi praised the standard of football and the developmental value of the competition. “Watching these young players leave everything on the pitch, playing with confidence, discipline, and heart is incredibly fulfilling,” he said. “While we celebrate our champions today, every child who took part is a winner. They have grown in character, sharpened their skills, and taken another important step in their football and life journey.”

Winning team

The seventh edition featured 48 teams drawn from local government areas across Lagos and Ogun States, including 30 Under-15 male teams, 10 Under-13 male teams and eight female teams. Over two days of end-to-end action, the tournament produced thrilling encounters, standout individual performances and a strong display of sportsmanship, reinforcing its status as one of Nigeria’s leading grassroots football platforms.

The event was further enlivened by appearances from child comedy star Emmanuella Samuel, content creator Muhammed Opeyemi, popularly known as Gilmore, Dr Egemba Chinonso Fidelis, also known as Aproko Doctor, media personality Tomike Adeoye, popularly called Olori Ebi, and lifestyle influencer Nancy Ume, all of whom engaged with and encouraged the young players.

“Being here with other teenagers feels really special because we’re all chasing our dreams in different ways. Seeing how hard they play reminds me that if you believe in yourself and keep working, amazing things can happen. Cohesion Football Tournament is giving young people like us a real chance, and I applaud the organisers of this grassroots engagement for the community,” Emmanuella said at the competition.

Since its launch in December 2019 with just 12 teams from Mushin and Surulere, the Cohesion Football Tournament has expanded steadily in size and influence. The inclusion of female teams in its fifth edition and the growth to 44 teams in the sixth edition set the stage for greater inclusivity and development, a vision further consolidated by the success of the seventh edition.

The tournament was staged with the continued backing of partners and sponsors including VIVA Plus Detergent, Firewood Jollof Rice, UAC Foods, DiosDelite, Beloxxi Biscuit, Ziba Beach Resort and the Harrison Obiefule Foundation, whose support remains central to the tournament’s sustained growth and community impact.