Future Stars Defy Rain to Clinch Obasa Games Title at Final Playoff

Future Stars Football Academy emerged winners of the football event at the 2025 Obasa Games, claiming the title via a tense 6–5 penalty shootout over Goal Getters after a dramatic final in Agege, Lagos State, on Saturday.

The deciding match, played at Anwar-Islam Model College, Oniwaya, was heavily influenced by persistent rainfall that left the pitch slick and tested the resolve of both teams. Despite the challenging conditions, the contest remained finely balanced and ended 1–1 at the conclusion of regulation time.

Goal Getters struck first shortly after the restart, with Tunmise Banjoro finding the net in the 51st minute to give his side the advantage.

Future Stars responded positively, and substitute Jude Emmanuel drew them level seven minutes later with a composed finish that shifted momentum back in their favour.

As the rain eased, the final moved to penalties, where neither team blinked through the opening five kicks. The shootout stretched into sudden death before Goal Getters’ Adekunle Samson saw his effort stopped by Future Stars goalkeeper Jamiyu Adeyanju, the lone miss of the sequence.

Moments later, Ademola Adetunji converted the decisive penalty to secure the championship for the Paul Oluwafemi-coached Future Stars, sealing their most successful outing at the Obasa Games.

The victory also earned the academy a cash prize of ₦3 million, a significant step forward after their quarterfinal exit on debut last year.

The football final concluded an expanded edition of the Obasa Games, which featured teams from across Lagos State for the first time.

The event was attended by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, in whose honour the Games are named.

Beyond football, the multi-sport tournament produced 54 winners across Chess, Scrabble, Table Tennis, Ayo Olopon, Boxing and Athletics.

A total of ₦6 million was shared among the top three finishers in each category, with competitors from Educational District 1 standing out across several events.