By Aderonke Ojo
Kado Heart Foundation emerged champions of the 4th Edition of the Abdulrahman Taiwo Football Tournament after edging past Jahi FC 5–3 on penalties in a thrilling final decided at the Kado Football Pitch.
The keenly contested final ended 1–1 after regulation time, with Kado Heart Foundation taking the lead in the first half before Jahi FC struck a dramatic late equaliser to force a penalty shootout.
Under intense pressure and in front of a passionate home crowd, Kado Heart Foundation kept their composure from the spot to seal a memorable victory and crown a remarkable campaign.
Earlier in the day, Zaki FC of Kado claimed third place after grinding out a hard-fought 1–0 win over Maraba FC, adding further excitement to a day that celebrated grassroots football at its finest.
The tournament, organised in honour of international footballer Abdulrahman Taiwo, once again highlighted the power of football in uniting communities and nurturing talent at the grassroots. A major emotional highlight of the event was the presence of the sponsor’s mother, Alhaja Wosilat Audu Abdulrahman, whose support and blessings added special significance to the occasion.
Speaking at the final, Secretary-General of the FCT Football Association, Haruna Ilerika, praised the tournament for its impact and crowd turnout.
“This is a very remote environment, yet you can see that the crowd here is more than what we see on some regular football pitches. This shows that football truly comes from the grassroots and must give back to the grassroots,” Ilerika said.
“At a time when people are preparing for Christmas, everyone is here, happy and united. This is what brings the community together. It shows that people understand the importance of grassroots football, and we sincerely appreciate it.”
Ilerika also noted that football development in Abuja is increasingly thriving in local communities such as Kado, Nyanya, Maraba and Zuba, where population density and passion for the game continue to fuel growth.
Jahi FC captain, Jatau Sariki Noma, reflected on the narrow defeat with pride despite the disappointment.
“Honestly, it was a fantastic performance from all the teams. It’s unfortunate we came second, but this is football. We lost our balance after conceding, and that affected us. Moving forward, we will go back, train harder, regroup and come back stronger,” he said.
On the winning side, Kabiru Audu, captain of Kado Heart Foundation, described the triumph as a moment of redemption.
“We lost our first game to this same team. We had chances then but couldn’t use them. Today, we tried to correct those mistakes,” Audi explained.
“We’ve reached finals and semifinals before and lost. This is our home, so we told ourselves that this year we must win. Even though our coach was not around, we promised to make him proud, and now we are champions.”
Audi also highlighted the importance of the tournament in discovering young talents and inspiring the next generation in Kado.
“Our young boys are watching us play and growing up with this competition. We pray to continue hosting more tournaments so the whole world can know that Kado exists,” he added.
The final attracted several dignitaries, including the Esu of Kado, Mallam Danlami Audu, officials of the FCT FA, community leaders and football stakeholders, all of whom applauded the organisers for sustaining a competition that continues to grow in prestige.
With another successful edition concluded, the Abdulrahman Taiwo Football Tournament has once again reinforced its reputation as a vital platform for grassroots football development, community bonding and talent discovery in the Federal Capital Territory.