Historic 1-0 Victory Over Debutant Discovery Talent Academy Seals Football Immortality
House of Prayer Football Academy have emerged as champions of the 2025 AMAPRO Football Championship after edging debutants Discovery Talent FA 1–0 in a tense and tactical final on Sunday evening.
Played at the Rashidi Yekini Main Bowl of George Innih Stadium in Ilorin, the contest lived up to expectations as both sides, unbeaten in the competition, delivered an intense battle for supremacy.
The decisive moment arrived in the 63rd minute when Abdulganiyu Ridwan rose above the Discovery Talent defence to head home a pinpoint corner from Emeka Okoye, sending the House of Prayer bench and their church-based supporters into raptures. Ridwan’s goal was his fourth of the tournament and capped a man-of-the-match display in which he also won three aerial duels and made two crucial interceptions.
“I’m honored to have scored the winning goal for my team,” Ridwan said after the match. “This club has shown me tremendous faith, and lifting the AMAPRO trophy is a dream come true.”
House of Prayer’s success was built on a disciplined defensive block and swift transitions through midfielders Chinedu Obi and Tobi Akinyemi. Head coach Gbenga David praised his side’s resolve:
“We knew Discovery Talent would bring energy and flair,” David explained. “Our game plan was to stay compact, frustrate them, and strike when the opportunity arose. The players executed perfectly.”
Although they departed with runners-up silverware, Discovery Talent FA exceeded all expectations in their first AMAPRO outing. Midfielder Rahman Yusuf was a standout performer, completing 85% of his passes and creating three shooting chances.
“Reaching the final in our debut year is a testament to the character of these boys,” said Discovery Talent coach Amina Suleiman. “We’ll learn from this experience and come back stronger.”
Individual Accolades
- King of AMAPRO (Best Player): Tukur Aliyu (Discovery Talent FA)
- Prince of AMAPRO (Top Scorer): Adama Isiah (5 goals)
Adama Isiah’s five goals included a brace in the semi-final, while Tukur Aliyu mesmerized audiences all tournament with his dribbling flair and two match-winning strikes.
The AMAPRO Championship, now in its tenth year, has become a vital platform for identifying and nurturing young Nigerian footballers. This year’s tournament featured 32 academies from across the country, with over 250 players competing for scouts from NPFL clubs and national youth selectors.
CAF-licensed referee Ibrahim Musa officiated the final, ensuring a high standard of match control that drew praise from both sides.
As champions, House of Prayer FA earn automatic qualification to the 2026 West Africa Football Union (WAFU) U‑20 Club Championship, offering further exposure on the regional stage. Coach David has already begun planning for pre-season reinforcements:
“We will look to bolster our squad, retain our core, and uphold the values that brought us here,” he said.
Discovery Talent, meanwhile, has secured invitations to participate in the 2025 Abuja Youth Football Showcase, where they will test their mettle against international academy sides.
