By Wakawaka Sports
The Ezinihitte Clan Football Team have emerged champions of the maiden edition of the Mbaise Unity Cup 2026, after defeating Agbaja 3-1 in an entertaining final played on Sunday at the Oke Ovoro Secondary School Field.
The tournament, organised as part of activities marking the Iri-Ji Mbaise 2026 Cultural Festival, featured football teams representing the five clans of Mbaise and provided a platform for promoting unity, cultural heritage, youth development and sporting talent.
Ezinihitte took control of the final from the early stages and deservedly went ahead in the 20th minute when Chiedozie Samuel was brought down inside the box, earning a penalty which he calmly converted from the spot, sparking wild celebrations among the supporters.
The champions continued to dominate proceedings and doubled their advantage in the 39th minute when Chimezie Christian found the back of the net from an almost impossible angle, giving Ezinihitte a 2-0 lead going into the halftime break.
However, Ezinihitte were reduced to 10 men in the second half after one of their defenders was sent off for receiving a second booking of the match.
Agbaja took advantage of the numerical advantage and returned with renewed determination, eventually reducing the deficit in the 72nd minute when Wisdom produced a fine volley to make it 2-1, raising hopes of a possible comeback.
However, Ezinihitte responded swiftly despite being a man down, as Samuel struck again from the penalty spot in the 76th minute to complete his brace, restoring his side’s two-goal cushion and putting the champions firmly in control.
The final whistle confirmed a historic 3-1 victory for Ezinihitte, making the clan the first-ever winners of the Mbaise Unity Cup.
The presentation of the Mbaise Unity Cup trophy to the champions is scheduled for August 15, 2026, during the grand celebration of the Iri-Ji Mbaise Cultural Festival at Oke Ovoro Secondary School.
The trophy presentation is expected to be one of the major highlights of the festival, with traditional rulers, political leaders, sports stakeholders, dignitaries and sons and daughters of Mbaise expected to witness the ceremony.
The successful maiden edition of the Mbaise Unity Cup has been described as an important initiative for strengthening unity among the five clans, discovering young football talents and promoting the spirit of brotherhood through sports and culture.
With Ezinihitte crowned the inaugural champions, attention now turns to the August 15 trophy presentation, which is expected to cap a competition that successfully combined football, culture and the shared identity of the Mbaise people.
