By 11 am, the crowd began to trickle into the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex on Sunday 27th August, for a final round of an exciting, captivating and entertaining football tournament. By the time the finals kicked off, the stadium was filled to capacity with fans watching, singing, dancing and cheering their teams to victory.
What was this about you might ask? The event was the Season Finale of the Remita Corporate Champions Cup 2017, which ended in style after 3 weeks of intriguing sporting action.
Novelty Match
The closing ceremony began on an interesting note with a novelty match between the Remita Eagles of SystemSpecs – Tournament Sponsors, and Ecobank. The much improved Remita Eagles gave it their all and would be disappointed to have lost to Ecobank by 2 goals to 1.
The following dignitaries graced the occasion; Mr John Obaro – MD SystemSpecs, Mr Deremi Atanda – ED SystemSpecs, Peter Rufai – Tournament Ambassador & Ex-International, Mohammed Al-Sawda – COO IHS Towers, Deepankar Rustagi – CEO VConnect, Jimmy Sogbesan – COO MediaVision and a host of other top executives.
Third Place Match
FULLTIME! @LeadwayInsure WINS THIRD PLACE. #2017RC3 pic.twitter.com/pwM1Nid8Am
— MediaVision Limited (@MediaVisionLtd) August 27, 2017
Next up was the battle for the Bronze medals otherwise known as the losers final. Defending Champions of the Nigeria Insurance Games, Leadway Assurance took on the Defending Champion of the Remita Corporate Champions Cup, Nestle with both teams eager to finish the 2017 Tournament on a high note. Leadway started brightly as in the 3rd minute, Folorunsho Sesan who eventually finished as tournament highest goal scorer, placed a wonderfully curled shot to beat Ismail Okeowo in Goal for Nestle. However, Nestle fought back and soon got an equalizer with a well worked goal reminiscent of the famed tiki taka as Emeka Uchechi beat onrushing Leadway goalkeeper to make it one all.
The second half started in much the same fashion as Alao Idowu of Nestle scored 2 minutes into the half, just when Nestle felt they had bagged the bronze medal, Ephraim Nwachukwu beat his marker and curled a shot beyond the goalkeeper to get the equaliser. There was still more drama to come as a penalty was awarded to Leadway Assurance deep into second half, up stepped Folorunsho once more as he slotted in the winner to secure victory for his team. The first podium finish for Leadway Assurance.
Final Match
Then the Grand Finale – the climax of the day, the much anticipated final match between defending Champions of Nigeria Telecoms Games – IHS Towers and VConnect. The match witnessed a display of good football from both teams to the delight of the spectators. IHS Towers started the game with determination and probed the defense of the VConnect team who remained resolute throughout the duration of the match. However, nothing could separate both teams in regulation time as the game finished 0-0 at full time.
The Champions of the Remita Corporate Champions Cup 2017 was to be decided by the lottery of penalty shootout. IHS Towers were victorious over the wasteful VConnect, it ended 4 – 1 on penalties. IHS Towers thus lifting the trophy in their debut season in the tournament.
Tournament Ambassador Challenge
One of the major highlights of the finals was the ambassador challenge which was a penalty shootout involving top executives of participating teams with the Ambassador and Nigerian Legendary goal keeper – Peter Rufai. It will forever be engrossed in their memory and that of the fans as “dodo mayanna” as he is fondly called showed why he is deemed legend saving two spots kicks to the excitement of the crowd.
The following football awards were given out to deserving players;
| BEST GOAL KEEEPER | Emeka George | IHS Towers |
| BEST DEFENDER | Kalu Ifeanyi | VConnect |
| BEST MIDFIELDER | Seun Ogunwo | IHS Towers |
| HIGHEST GOAL SCORER | Folorunsho Sesan | Leadway Assurance |
| MVP | Damilare Balogun | IHS Towers |
We appreciate your participation at The Remita Corporate Champions Cup 2017 edition and we look forward to seeing you again at the RC3 2018 edition.
For any further clarifications, please contact Ope on 0803 864 8457 ope@mediavisionlimited.com or Bruno on 0703 151 4018 bruno@mediavisionlimited.com
WE WISH YOU ALL THE BEST!
Fela is the Co-founder of MediaVision Limited .
