Awoniyi splashes cash rewards on award winners as Kwara Kiddies League Season IV ends in style
Kwara Football Academy (KFA) were celebrated as champions of the Kwara Kiddies League Season IV following a 1–0 victory over Gaa Akanbi Kids in the Grand Finale, bringing an exciting campaign to a colourful close.
Awoniyi splashes cash rewards on award winners as Kwara Kiddies League Season IV ends in style
Kwara Football Academy (KFA) were celebrated as champions of the Kwara Kiddies League Season IV following a 1–0 victory over Gaa Akanbi Kids in the Grand Finale, bringing an exciting campaign to a colourful close.
Although KFA had already secured the league title with five games to spare, the champions rounded off the season in emphatic fashion on the final matchday.
A fine strike from Jimoh Kamaldeen in the 182nd match of the season separated both sides and capped a dominant campaign for the Ilorin-based academy, who finished the season on a record-equalling 66 points.
The Grand Finale ceremony was highlighted by a lavish awards presentation, as Super Eagles forward Taiwo Awoniyi splashed cash rewards and scholarships on outstanding performers across the league, reinforcing the competition’s commitment to grassroots football development.
In recognition of excellence throughout the season, each of the 15 players named in the Team of the Season received ₦100,000, while individual award winners in major categories—Goalkeeper, Defender, Midfielder, Top Striker, Young Player, Manager of the Season and Referee of the Year—were each rewarded with ₦150,000.
Abubakar Solihu of Gaa Akanbi Kids emerged as Goalkeeper of the Season, while KFA defender Eko Martins enjoyed a remarkable campaign, winning both the Player of the Season and Defender of the Season awards.
Afeez Azeez of Afrikan Kiddies FA was named Midfielder of the Season, with Ajibola Gidado of Unicorn FA claiming the Top Striker of the Season honour.
Arisekola Faruq of Busari FA was recognised as the Soliu Sanusi Revelation of the Season in the U-13 category.
The Team of the Season featured Abubakar Solihu (Gaa Akanbi Kids) in goal; defenders Eko Martins (KFA), Abdullahi Kamaldeen (Future Stars), Yunus Abdulmajeed (Achievers FA) and Soliu Kamaldeen (Barca Kiddies); midfielders Afeez Azeez (Afrikan Kiddies FA), Isiak Mustapha (KFA) and Jimoh Mubarak (Makamz FA); and forwards Adeoye Tobi (KFA), Gidado Ajibola (Unicorn FA) and Abdulhamid Yunus (Koller FA). The reserve list included Muritala Azeez (Barca Kiddies), Abdulwahab Abdulsamad (Koller FA), January Goodluck (Makamz FA) and Oluwaseyi Adeyemi (Unicorn FA).
Other awards saw Emmanuel Ajewole named Referee of the Year, Oluwaseyi Ajayi of KFA honoured as Manager of the Season, while Unicorn FA clinched the Fair Play Award.
The event attracted top sports stakeholders and dignitaries, including the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, the Chairman of the Kwara State Football Association, the Chairperson of the Kwara State House of Assembly Committee on Sports, Mrs Shittu Rukayyat, and the Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr Yunusa Lade Usman, among others.
The ceremony climaxed with the presentation of the championship trophy to Kwara Football Academy in a colourful celebration that fittingly marked the end of a successful and impactful Kwara Kiddies League Season IV.