Footballers win cash gifts, free kits and scholarships at the Christ Embassy WORLD Cup.

Agege soccer stadium was agog on Sunday October 19th, 2014 as the Final of the Christ Embassy Challenge Cup was held.

The competition which had been running for some weeks before, had the highest standard possible. Some participants even called it the Christ Embassy WORLD CUP. The players and officials were fully kitted, and all matches of the tournament were played on excellent pitches within the Lagos Metropolis; National stadium and Teslim Balogun stadium had a taste of the quarter and semi-final matches. 

Yesterday proceedings started with Two teams slugging it out for the Third place which was goaless as both team play a very cautions game and often to the gallery.

The Third place match was won by Christ Embassy Abule-Egba Group. They beat Ifako  5-4 on penalties.

The Main course of the day was between two almighty Christ Embassy Churches in Lagos Zone 1; LCC2 vs LCC1. This was billed to be the clash of the titans as the Zonal Pastor of Lagos Zone, Pastor Lanre Alabi was one ground to watch the match. The Zonal Pastor is the Pastor of LCC1 church.

Prior to the finals, LCC2 had beaten their opponents black and blue and were loudly cheered as they arrived by expectant fans who had not seen them play before, but had of their awesome skills and tactical descipline.

The Head of the Local Organizing Commitee who also Pastors LCC2, Pastor Arinze lead his team to flog the CE Agege Group Team in their first Match of the Tournament by 7-0. Agege was the host,  but were out of competition since the first match, and this should give you an idea of the number of  Agege spectators that were obviously rooting for LCC1 to win this final, sine they were beaten by them.

The game commenced with heavy down pour that actually capped the third place match. The astroturf pitch was heavily water logged with large volumes of water-pockets in vital areas of the pitch such as the wings and centre. The game was play in swamp mode.

Proceedings began with a parade from all the participating groups, before the Zonal Pastor of Lagos Zone 1 himself had a kick of the ball to open the final and also displayed some ball juggling skills, leaving all members stunned and amazed as well.

The first half was played in water-polo style as the match was obviously dulled by the swimming pool conditions of the pitch.

Wow! One commentator said, "these players are so skillful they are obviously -ogiri gbamila- players...they are even dribbling in the water, Phew!!!." Shortly after, the coach of LCC2 was red carded by the referee who stood his ground on discipline. 

Half time came and the fans were wowed by Loveworld artiste "Buchi". The fans all-standing danced to :"It is well, it is well..in the Name of Jesus...with Nigeria!!!" At this point the Rhapsody of Realities was been distributed around the stadium for all those invited football fans that were not members and wanted to know about the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Second half was goaless, with flashes of brilliance from LCC2's No. 9 Jersey. He dribbled, dazzled and almost scored in the 76th minute, however his final shot went just wide.

LCC1 had an excellent defence line and the hanged on, and eventually got their No. 15 red carded after he handled the ball intentionally.

"Bobo Bobo Bobo arede Bobo me..." rang all over the stadium as Ada performed her hits song to the welcoming audience who were already anticipating the Penalty Kicks.

And the Winner is......

LCC2 4 vs LCC1 5 

The stadium went into a divine ecstacy as the final deciding kick went in after LCC2 lost one of the sudden death kicks and LCC1 score theirs.

The awards were given with Abule-Egba coming third, LCC 2 second and LCC 1 winning the Challenge Cup Finals 2014.

Here I must say that this effort by Christ Embassy deserves some commendation. Kudos and apreciation must be shown towards Christ Embassy for organizing such an event to celebrate the youths of the Lagos community in the season of the 54th year celebration of Nigeria's independence(Reach Out Nigeria). Indeed, nation building and giving lives a meaning is the priority of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and the Believers Love World Nation.

Nigeria is Blessed to have them!
Full Gallery in the next post...

Credits: Prince Digital Photos