4th Kuwait Afro-Asian International Football Tournament 
The 9-aside tournament that started in October 2009 included Kuwait based expatriate national teams from Egypt, Benin, Ethiopia, Yemen, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Thailand, Bangladesh, Sri-Lanka, Nepal, Nigeria and India. The teams were drawn into 3 groups for a round robin league with the top two and best two third placed teams playing in quarterfinals. 
Nigeria beat India to emerge Champions
Kuwait: The Nigeria Eagles of Kuwait beat the warriors India 4-3 in the tie-breaker after a 1-1 draw at full time in the finals of the 4th Kuwait African International Football tournament organized by Sports Outreach under the Lighthouse Church, at Sharq Digital Grounds, on Friday 5th February 2010.
It was a grand finale to the tournament with participating teams in attendance at the ceremonial function to sing their National Anthem.
It was a grand finale to the tournament with participating teams in attendance at the ceremonial function to sing their National Anthem.
The 9-aside tournament that started in October 2009 included Kuwait based expatriate national teams from Egypt, Benin, Ethiopia, Yemen, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Thailand, Bangladesh, Sri-Lanka, Nepal, Nigeria and India. The teams were drawn into 3 groups for a round robin league with the top two and best two third placed teams playing in quarterfinals.
India took an early lead in the fast paced final off a corner kick taken by Americo Fernandes. However, the physically strong Nigerians drew level within minutes through a goal by striker Duke.
The rest of the game was a see-saw battle between the sides with Nigeria playing more of the offensive trying to force their way for a winner while India played a measured, swift passing game occasionally attacking from the wings. John Furtado, Godfrey Aguair, Americo, Duarte and captain Cruzedio Rodrigues excelled for India. Indian team was represented by Navelim YC and managed by Mr. Avelino Dias.
On the other side, with the instructions from team coach Niyi Oyewusi Nigeria showed tremendous display of talent and technicality through their midfielders Nasiru Abdulganiy, Azeez Adegbesan, Shamsudeen Munirudeen and Chinasa Nworu also the defenders Tunde Adegbesan, Seun Ososanya and Chuck Chukuyem were up to the occasion while marvelous footballing skills were shown by the attackers Toha Yahaya, Duke and Mikail Adekunle.
Nigeria proved to be better shooters winning by a margin of 4-3 in the tie-breaker. Nigeria's goalkeeper Mohammed was on duty saving one of the penalty kicks in the tie-breaker.
The final was attended by a sufficient number of enthusiastic spectators and football fans. The closing ceremony began with a prayer by Evangelist Tina Okotete, one of the distinguished guests at the event. Pastor Daniel Harstad also had a message of hope for the spectators and players followed by an enlightening inspirational message address by Pastor Allan. Mr. Sola Owoseni and Mr. Jubril Adekunle, representatives from the Embassy of Nigeria - Kuwait were there to grace the occasion. Pastor Mario Lapuz, Pastor Harvey Matchullis, Mr. Farhan Al Khaldi, Mr. and Mrs. Femi Akinniyi, Goodluck Ishaka, etc, were some of the other dignitaries present among the invited guests.
The rest of the game was a see-saw battle between the sides with Nigeria playing more of the offensive trying to force their way for a winner while India played a measured, swift passing game occasionally attacking from the wings. John Furtado, Godfrey Aguair, Americo, Duarte and captain Cruzedio Rodrigues excelled for India. Indian team was represented by Navelim YC and managed by Mr. Avelino Dias.
On the other side, with the instructions from team coach Niyi Oyewusi Nigeria showed tremendous display of talent and technicality through their midfielders Nasiru Abdulganiy, Azeez Adegbesan, Shamsudeen Munirudeen and Chinasa Nworu also the defenders Tunde Adegbesan, Seun Ososanya and Chuck Chukuyem were up to the occasion while marvelous footballing skills were shown by the attackers Toha Yahaya, Duke and Mikail Adekunle.
Nigeria proved to be better shooters winning by a margin of 4-3 in the tie-breaker. Nigeria's goalkeeper Mohammed was on duty saving one of the penalty kicks in the tie-breaker.
The final was attended by a sufficient number of enthusiastic spectators and football fans. The closing ceremony began with a prayer by Evangelist Tina Okotete, one of the distinguished guests at the event. Pastor Daniel Harstad also had a message of hope for the spectators and players followed by an enlightening inspirational message address by Pastor Allan. Mr. Sola Owoseni and Mr. Jubril Adekunle, representatives from the Embassy of Nigeria - Kuwait were there to grace the occasion. Pastor Mario Lapuz, Pastor Harvey Matchullis, Mr. Farhan Al Khaldi, Mr. and Mrs. Femi Akinniyi, Goodluck Ishaka, etc, were some of the other dignitaries present among the invited guests.
The Champions - Nigeria
Indian captain Cruzedio receiving the Runners-up Trophy from Mr. Jubril Adekunle
Farewell goal - Duke Mark receiving a trophy from Mr. Farhan
Compere - Gasper Crasto
Caelan Rodrigues presenting a bouquet of flowers to Sr. Patience
Daniel Harstad receiving a bouquet from a little girl
Othniel Lobo presenting flowers to Pastor Allan Dytianquin
Opening Prayer Evangelist Tina Okotete
Pastor Allan speaking on the ocassion
Pastor Allan Dytianquin delivering the Inspiration Message
Pastor Dan Harstad giving the - Message of Hope
Sister Millicent Rerri speaking at the function
Guests being introduced to the players by Millicent Rerri
Team India
The Eagles of Nigeria stand for the National Anthem
Black Star Ghana represented by the team members and management
Thailand players meeting the other teams
Goa World Moderator Gasper Almeida meeting the players
Bangladesh Team
Guests being introduced to the teams
The Eagles of Nigeria
Pastor Daniel Harstad handing over the winners trophy to the Nigerian team
The Committee Members along witht he guests
Earlier, the guests were presented with flower bouquets by the children. The entire final day presentation was compered by Gasper Crasto.
The Sports Outreach organizing committee consisted of Sr. Millicent Rerri, Cruzedio Rodrigues, Elva Rodrigues, Niyi Oyewusi, Clyde Soares, Austin Agbago and Kiran Paudyal.
Dr. Ebi Dambo and Bro. Abraham Komolafe who supported as the medical team in the entire tournament, and Mr. Jagath was also present.
Prior to the finals, an exhibition match played between Benin and Thailand was won by Benin 3-2 in a tie-breaker. The prizes for the Exhibition match were offered by Mr. Domnic Araujo of Kala Mogui Kuwait.
The winners and the runners-up trophy were donated by Mr. Manoj Varghese while the sound system was sponsored by Mr. Sarath Rapusinghe, team manager of the Sri Lankan team.
An official prize distribution and a party for participating teams will be held at the Kuwait African Fellowship to be held on 26th February 2010.
The Sports Outreach organizing committee consisted of Sr. Millicent Rerri, Cruzedio Rodrigues, Elva Rodrigues, Niyi Oyewusi, Clyde Soares, Austin Agbago and Kiran Paudyal.
Dr. Ebi Dambo and Bro. Abraham Komolafe who supported as the medical team in the entire tournament, and Mr. Jagath was also present.
Prior to the finals, an exhibition match played between Benin and Thailand was won by Benin 3-2 in a tie-breaker. The prizes for the Exhibition match were offered by Mr. Domnic Araujo of Kala Mogui Kuwait.
The winners and the runners-up trophy were donated by Mr. Manoj Varghese while the sound system was sponsored by Mr. Sarath Rapusinghe, team manager of the Sri Lankan team.
An official prize distribution and a party for participating teams will be held at the Kuwait African Fellowship to be held on 26th February 2010.
Photographs by: Lino Fernandes & Sebastian Diniz
Caelan Rodrigues presenting a bouquet of flowers to Sr. Patience
Mr. Dominic Araujo handing over the Runners-up trophy of the Exhibition Match to Thailand Captain
Complete Coverage
Kuwait African International Soccer- India to face Nigeria in finals
Kuwait African International Soccer- India beat Ghana to sail into semis
Kuwait Afro-Asian International Football - India beat Thailand
Kuwait African International Soccer- India to face Nigeria in finals
Kuwait African International Soccer- India beat Ghana to sail into semis
Kuwait Afro-Asian International Football - India beat Thailand
Kuwait African International Soccer -Sierra Leone hold mighty Nigeria
Kuwait African International Football - Sri Lanka, Ghana win convincingly
Kuwait African International Soccer: India beat Ethiopia, Egypt draw with Thailand
Kuwait African Football Tournament: Nigeria beat Yemen, Sierra-Leone draw with Bangla
Kuwait: Afro-Asian International Football Tournament off to a grand start
Also read:Navelim beat Kuwait Goans to lift CRCC Trophy
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