The second edition of the Halimatu Ayinde Women’s 5-a-side Football Cup concluded in Kaduna with Gallant Queens emerging victorious. They secured the championship by defeating YSFON Queens 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw in regular time.
In the third-place match, Kundenda Queens dominated Wisdom Queens with a 4-0 victory. A novelty match saw the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) President, Isaiah Benjamin, lead Kaduna SWAN to a 2-1 win over the Friends of Halimatu Ayinde.
Individual accolades were awarded to standout performers:
Young Player of the Tournament: Beluaa Adeboyega (Kundenda Queens)
Highest Scorer and Player of the Tournament: Queen Akungolaju (Kundenda Queens), with 8 goals
Best Goalkeeper: Augustina Boniface (YSFON Queens)
Best Coach: Mrs. Grace (Wisdom Queens)
Fan of the Tournament: Favour Johnson
The champions, Gallant Queens, received a cash prize of ₦150,000, while YSFON Queens and Kundenda Queens were awarded ₦100,000 and ₦50,000 for second and third places, respectively.
Coach Adebiyi Adekunle of Gallant Queens praised his team’s determination and composure throughout the tournament. Nigerian international and Rosengård forward Halimatu Ayinde expressed her delight with the competition’s success, emphasizing its role in empowering women through football.
The event was attended by notable figures, including the President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Musa Nimrod, and other government dignitaries, who commended the initiative for promoting grassroots sports development. Organizer Grace John extended gratitude to the Kaduna State Government, stakeholders, and the media for their support in making the tournament a success.
The Halimatu Ayinde Women’s Cup continues to showcase exceptional talent, reaffirming its commitment to advancing women’s football at the grassroots level.
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