ECN Football Academy on Tuesday successfully defended its title at the Baobab Peace Soccer Tournament, emerging champions for the second consecutive year after edging Kilankwa 1 United by a lone goal in the final match.

 

The keenly contested four-day tournament, which brought together ten teams from across the Kwali Area Council, showcased the best of grassroots football talent and community spirit.

 

ECN, last year’s champions, began their title defense in fine form — defeating Revival FC 3–0 in their opening game. They went on to eliminate Old Timers FC with a narrow 1–0 victory before surviving a tense semifinal clash against Sheda United, which ended 8–7 in a dramatic penalty shootout.

 

Their opponents, Kilankwa 1 United, also impressed on their road to the final. They defeated Shinning Stars FC 2–1 in the quarterfinals and narrowly beat Dabi United 1–0 in the semifinals to book their place in the title decider.

 

In the final match, ECN Academy’s disciplined defense and clinical finishing proved decisive, as they held on to their slender one-goal lead to lift the trophy once again.

 

The tournament, organized to promote peace and unity among youths in Kwali Area Council, featured the following teams: ECN Academy, Revival FC, Old Timers FC, Leleyi United, Sheda United, Peti United, Noble FC, Dabi United, Shinning Stars, and Kilankwa 1 United.

 

At the closing ceremony, gifts and cash prizes were presented to the winners and outstanding players in recognition of their performances throughout the competition.

 

Organizers of the Baobab Peace Soccer Tournament commended all participating teams for their sportsmanship and reiterated their commitment to using football as a tool for peacebuilding and youth development in the area.