Unification Ladies Crowned Champions Of 2026 Afusat Olabimpe Abiodun Female Gold Cup
By Saheed Afolabi
Unification Ladies defied the odds to lift the 2026 Afusat Olabimpe Abiodun Female Gold Cup, securing a hard-fought 1-0 win over FC Phoenix Queens in the final at Strong Tower Academy Football Pitch, Ikorodu.
A clinical first-half strike from midfield maestro Rachael Adekunle proved decisive, handing Unification Ladies their second title in the competition across three final appearances.
From kick-off, Unification Ladies asserted dominance, pinning Phoenix Queens in their own half and creating several promising opportunities. The breakthrough arrived when Rachael Adekunle pounced on a rebound, calmly slotting home to give her side a precious lead.
The match remained intensely contested, with both teams drawing enthusiastic cheers from the passionate crowd.
Phoenix Queens mounted a spirited revival after the interval, pressing high and threatening an equalizer with renewed energy and attacking intent. However, Unification Ladies’ defensive anchor, Esther Stephen, was immovable—organizing the backline masterfully and repelling every dangerous Phoenix Queens foray.
Unification Ladies held firm to claim a slender but deserved victory, completing an impressive tournament run without conceding a single goal in six matches.
In the third-place playoff, Unizee Sheila edged Wazbak Queens in a tense penalty shoot-out to secure bronze.
Individual honours rounded off the celebration: Unification Ladies’ standout Esther Stephen was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) for her commanding tournament display with a reward of one hundred thousand naira and a professional contract in Saudi Arabia. Abeebat Adediran of Wazbak Queens claimed the Golden Boot after netting four goals in six games with a reward of fifty thousand naira, while Unizee Sheila’s goalkeeper Odunayo Oloyede was recognised as the Best Goalkeeper with a reward of thirty thousand naira.
The 2026 edition once again showcased the growing talent and competitiveness in Lagos women’s grassroots football, with Unification Ladies cementing their status as one of the region’s premier sides.
