The 2019 Remita Corporate Champions Cup came to an exhilarating end with exciting and great football spiced with musical performances by rave of the moment Nigerian artistes.
LASU VS UNILAG
The Closing Ceremony began with the final of the First ever RC3 – Campus Challenge. The battle was between 2 great Institutions, the Lagos State University (LASU) who had overcome the Yaba College of Technology to qualify for the final; and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) who were victorious against the Lagos State Polytechnic in qualification. At the end of regulation time, there was nothing to separate the 2 sides as no goals were scored. LASU won the ensuing penalty shootout 3-1 to be crowned the maiden RC3 Campus Challenge Champions.
REMITA EAGLES VS RENMONEY
The next match was a novelty affair between REMITA EAGLES and RENMONEY. The Remita Eagles team are from the sponsors of the tournament and traditionally play a novelty at the finals. It was a tightly contested match as Corporate Nigeria Games newcomers, RENMONEY gave a good account of themselves and had better opportunities on goal. It, however, ended goallessly and had to be settled via a penalty shoot-out. RENMONEY won with a close 3-2 margin.
As the teams for the 3rd place of the RC3 2019 event were warming up, the following dignitaries made their way to the VIP arena to grace the occasion; Mr John Obaro – MD SystemSpecs, Mrs Obaro, Mr Deremi Atanda – ED SystemSpecs, Mrs Atanda, Mr Ocholi Emmanuel – Director Systemspecs, Jimmy Sogbesan – COO MediaVision Ltd, Mrs Bimpe Ayo-Elias – Head HR SystemSpecs, Dr. Emmanuel Eze – ED SystemSpecs, Mr Paul Ibidun – GM SystemSpecs, Mrs Paul Ibidun, Mrs Kemi Ogunleye – SystemSpecs, Waidi Akanni – Ex-International, Fatai Amodo – Ex-International, Augustine Eguavoen – Ex-International, Friday Ekpo – Ex-International, Emmanuel Oluwatosin – Ex-International (Flacon) , Yisa Solofuwe- Ex-Internation, Prof Damola Oke – DVC Admin (LASU), B.A Ashade – Ag. Bursar (LASU), Dr M.A Ogunsemore – UNILAG, Mr Ola Ehinmoro – HR Director (Unilever), Mr Sola Akinyosoye -HR Director (Nestle), Mr Yusuf Lukman -Factory Manager (Nestle Angola), Mr Ademola Adebise – MD (Wema Bank), Mr Segun Agbede -Sport Analyst, Prof Ishaya, Mrs Ishaya, Alhaja Balogun –(Ministry Of Education).
FCMB VS FRIESLAND CAMPINA WAMCO
The third-place match was a repeat of last season’s final match. Defending Champions Frieslandcampina took on the opponents they defeated to win the trophy in 2018, FCMB. Both teams were looking to end the tournament on a high having failed to qualify for the finals. The game was played in a high tempo from the blast of the Referees whistle with both teams creating early goal-scoring chances. Elijah Ashafa of FCMB had to be at his best to thwart the efforts of FrieslandCampinas duo of Friday Okoronkwo and Segun Kehinde.
It, however, took a moment of sheer indecision by the Goalkeeper Akiniyin Tosin of FRIESLANDCAMPINA to gift FCMB a goal off an otherwise harmless Adedeji Adeleke freekick. The goal proved decisive as FCMB locked up shop and despite the best efforts of FRIESLANDCAMPINA were able to hold on to win the Bronze medal.
UNILEVER VS NESTLE
The final between UNILEVER and NESTLE was much anticipated by the fans of both teams as well as neutrals at the Yaba Tech Sports Complex. Both teams are well-known rivals in the Nigeria FMCG Games. The match lived up to expectations as both teams displayed exquisite artistry in their display of football. It must be said that every player on and off the pitch for both teams knew the importance of the match and remained focused from start to finish and thus there was nothing to separate them at the end of regulation time. The excitement and tension of the game spilled over into the ensuing penalty kicks.
The penalty shoot-out was extremely nerve-wracking for both sets of fans and players but thrilling for the crowd present. UNILEVER came out victorious thanks to the acrobatics of their goalkeeper, Yusuf Rasheed. The shoot out ended 4-3 in favour of UNILEVER who became the 2019 Remita Corporate Cup Champions.
Tournament Ambassadors Challenge
One of the exciting moments of the finals was the Tournament Ambassador “Peter Rufai” Challenge which saw the legend on the field of play in a penalty shootout involving some dignitaries and top executives such as; Mr John Obaro (MD, SystemSpecs), Ademola Adebise (MD, Wema Bank), Segun Agbede (Sports Journalist), Mr Ola Ehinmore (HR Director Ghana – Nigeria), Mr Lookman Yusuf (Factory Manager, Nestle Angola).
The Legendary Nigerian Goalkeeper – Dodo Mayanna as he’s fondly called showed once again why he is a legend as he saved two (2) spots kicks to the excitement of the spectators.
Medals and gifts were awarded to the winners – Bronze, Silver and Gold while the following players were also recognized for their outstanding performances at the closing ceremony;
| AWARD | PLAYER | COMPANY REPRESENTED |
| Most Valuable Player | Ebuka Daniel | Unilever |
| Best Goal Keeper | Yusuf Rasheed | Unilever |
| Best Defender | Bende Chukwudi | Nestle |
| Best Midfielder | Ebuka Daniel | Unilever |
Another major highlight of the day was the star performance delivered by L.A.X and Victor A.D. The artist left fans elated with the performance of his hit songs.
Fans/Spectators were not left out as they also participated in the fastest finger challenge where people won airtime, and raffle draw for fans to win a variety of great prizes.
The DJ was on the ground, playing the songs that kept the crowd dancing and entertained and there was also a children’s corner equipped with a bouncy castle.
Fela is the Co-founder of MediaVision Limited .
