Citadel Of Grace wins Kidsport Charity Cup

Kidsport Charity Cup Season 9 ended at the weekend with Citadel of Grace Mission International Orphanage Home retaining the five-aside football championship held at the Campos Mini Stadium on Lagos Island.

The championship organised for Orphanages and Homes in Lagos State was supported by Hope Alive Initiative (HAI), an innovation of the House of Oduduwa Foundation under the auspices of His Imperial Majesty, Arole Oduduwa, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife.

The Citadel of Grace Home, who were the winners in the 2016 edition, left no one in doubt of their readiness to win this year’s event as they were ruthless and determined right from the round robin stage of the one day event, watched by the Team from HAI led by Ms Temitope Oshin and other enthusiasts.

In the semifinal, Citadel beat SOS Owu 4-0 to set up a final clash with Habitation of Hope squad, who defeated Project Friendship Initiative, PFI 1-0.

The third place match was won by SOS Owu 3-0 at the expense of PFI in the match decided through penalty shootouts.

Team Leader of Hope Alive Initiative, HAI, Ms Oshin hailed the soccer artistry of all the eight homes that took part in the competition.

“On behalf of His Imperial Majesty, Arole Oduduwa, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife, I want to commend all the players for displaying their gifts in football to entertain fans here today. This is part of the vision of His Imperial Majesty to reach out to the less privileged in our society, to show them how we care for them and more importantly to make them happy,” Oshin said.

Captain of the champions, Godwin Frederick said that hardwork, determination and intensive training gave his team the trophy.

Joseph Edem, a member of the working committee of the championship, commended the players and the managements of all the participating homes for releasing the boys for the competition.

A novelty match between a selected team of American players and Kidsport All Stars was part of the final day of the competition. The American team won the encounter 1-0.