By Akeem Busari
The 2025 edition of the annual Jagaban football championship to celebrate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, came to a grand finale Thursday, at the legacy pitch of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
Eight teams participated in the four-day football fiesta, that saw NPFL side Ikorodu City edged out 1-0 by Ijebu United, in the third place game played earlier in the day.
Expectedly, the final match between fans favourites 36 Lion FC and SGFC that came into the final match with a hundred percent record, lived up to the true billing of a final match befitting of the much-followed grassroots football championship.
After a pulsating full time duration of the very exciting and intense final match that ended 0-0, Ilorin based non-league side SGFC triumphed 5-4 on penalties to claim the prestigious giant trophy and the title.
Speaking with journalists after the game, Chief Convener of championship, Hajji Gafar Liameed expressed his satisfaction with the standard of play and the discipline levels by all the teams throughout the tournament.
Liameed who also doubles as the Chairman of Lagos State Football Association, went on to reassure that there are plans to make the tournament better and bigger, adding that the tournament format would remain for future tournaments.
This championship is synonymous with everything good about our lovable President Bola Tinubu, in terms of discipline, high moral standards and commitment to youth empowerment through football.
A total of 14 matches was played from the group stage to the finals, and with a remarkable 38 goals scored in the tournament.
