By Mandy Park
In a weekend packed with high-octane football, dynamic goals, and edge-of-your-seat drama, Avengers FC emerged victorious as the inaugural Riverpark FC Tournament champions, battling through a competitive semi-final before sealing a 2–1 victory over Elite FC in Sunday’s grand finale.
The tournament’s crescendo began on Saturday with two fiercely contested semi-finals. In the first clash, Avengers FC signaled their championship ambitions by dispatching tournament hosts Riverpark FC with a convincing 3–1 victory, securing the first spot in the final.
The second semi-final proved to be an absolute thriller between Elite FC and Titans FC. After a breathless 90 minutes ended in a 3–3 stalemate, the tie had to be decided from the spot. Elite FC held their nerve in a nerve-shredding shootout, edging Titans FC 5–4 on penalties to set up Sunday’s championship showdown.
With momentum on their side, Avengers FC faced off against Elite FC on Sunday with the trophy on the line. In a tightly contested final, Avengers FC proved their pedigree, holding off a resilient Elite FC side to lock in a hard-fought 2–1 victory and lift the inaugural Riverpark FC Tournament trophy.
Following the conclusion of the tournament, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) extended a hearty message of gratitude to all eight participating clubs: Riverpark FC, Titans FC, Avengers FC, Zealfield FA, Elite FC, Cyclick FC, Gazebo FC, and CRD FC.
A statement signed by Tobby Obiefuna for the LOC, reads: “Thank you to all amazing teams that participated in the inaugural Riverpark FC Tournament! We deeply appreciate your sportsmanship and commitment to playing by the rules throughout the competition.
“As with any first edition, there is always room to grow, so please bear with us in any area where we weren’t perfect. We promise to come back bigger and better next year.
“And finally, one more massive congratulations to our Champions, Avengers FC!”
Conceived as an annual event, the tournament kicked off on October 10, 2026, with the goal of promoting physical fitness, nurturing a love for football, and bringing together soccer fans from Riverpark City and its surrounding communities.
