Milly FC were crowned champions of the second edition of the Redemption City Football Championship on Saturday after defeating Magboro FC 2-0 in the final at the Mini Stadium of Peaceville International Academy, Redemption City – remarkable for a club making their debut appearance in the tournament.
The victory earned Milly FC a cash prize of N3 million. Runners-up Magboro FC received N1 million, while Best Talent FC, who defeated Future Bright FA 3-1 in the third-place playoff, took home N500,000.
The championship, organised under the auspices of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, ran from April 18 and featured 47 matches across 20 clubs from within and around Redemption City – up from 16 clubs in the inaugural edition.
Milly FC coach Abbas Abufaru Esejamie said the triumph exceeded expectations given the squad’s early injury concerns.
‘I’m over the moon. This is our first appearance in this competition, and winning it is simply amazing. We faced injuries at the beginning and had very few substitutes, but we encouraged the players to remain focused and believe in themselves. Their determination paid off,’ he said.
Esejamie added that the club’s next target is a place in Nationwide League One, expressing confidence in his players’ ability to step up.
The RCCG’s Assistant National Youth Pastor, Pastor Oluwafemi Oyetunde, said the tournament was conceived to provide structured opportunities for young people gifted in sport, alongside the church’s spiritual mandate.
‘We are not only interested in developing people spiritually. Many talented young people desire careers in football, and this competition provides such an opportunity,’ he said.
Oyetunde disclosed that football scouts attended the tournament to identify talents, and that the long-term goal is to establish a Redemption City football club capable of competing in the Nigeria Football League.
‘We have invited scouts to monitor the players and identify outstanding talents. By the grace of God, Redemption City will soon have its own football club competing at the highest level,’ he said.
He also called on government at all levels to invest more in sports, describing it as a tool for crime reduction and national development.