Lugbe Deanery CMO Crowned AACMO Champions after 2-1 final win over Wuse

Lugbe Deanery CMO Crowned AACMO Champions after 2-1 final win over Wuse

Lugbe Deanery Catholic Men Organisation (LDCMO) team emerged champions of the Abuja Archdiocesan Catholic Men Organisation (AACMO) Football Tournament on Saturday, August 1, 2026, after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Wuse Deanery in the final.

The keenly contested match, watched by Catholic Faithful from across the Archdiocese, was played in an atmosphere of sportsmanship and brotherhood at the Papal Ground in Kubwa, Abuja.

Lugbe Deanery struck first to take the lead, but Wuse Deanery responded to level the score and set up a tense second half. Lugbe Deanery’s resilience paid off late in the game as they netted another goal to seal a 2-1 triumph and lift the AACMO trophy. The victory marks a proud moment for Lugbe Deanery CMO and caps off an impressive run throughout the tournament.

In a congratulatory message, the Chairman of Lugbe Deanery CMO Sports Committee, Brother Sunday Otori, JP, expressed joy over the outcome of the final match of the AACMO Football Tournament organised as part of activities marking the 25th anniversary of the CMO in Nigeria.

His message reads: “Congratulations to the Lugbe Deanery Team on your well-deserved victory over Wuse Deanery and for emerging Champions of the AACMO Football Tournament!

“This triumph is a testament to the unity we shared, the teamwork we displayed, the sacrifices made during training, and the discipline of listening to our coaches and executing their instructions on the field. It is also a reflection of the unwavering commitment of our Deanery Executives and the immense love, prayers, and support of our wonderful supporters.

“This victory belongs to every player, coach, official, executive, and supporter who believed in this team from the very beginning.

“As we celebrate this remarkable achievement, I urge us all to remain united as one big family. Let us continue to build on the friendships and brotherhood we have forged throughout this journey, using this new-found relationship to achieve even greater things for our Deanery.

“Thank you all for making me proud. Congratulations once again, Champions. Lugbe Deanery… Champions Today, United Forever!”

President of Lugbe Deanery CMO, Engr. (Chief) Felix Okeke, said: “I am so excited at the success of our team. It showed the tenacity of the team. Despite the fact of us (the Lugbe Deanery CMO EXCO) not being at the venue due to our Deanery Council meeting, it didn’t stop the team from proving its worth. I thank all the team members and the Deanery Football Tournament Committee that sacrificed so much in building the team. I am looking forward to when we shall get together to celebrate the victory upon my return to Abuja.”

The Head Coach of the winning team, Ambassador Okocha Dixie, a CAF-licensed professional coach with over four decades of experience, stated that “It was a dream come true and l am very happy and feel fulfilled. l thank God for everything. May His Name Be praised both now and forever. Amen!

“It was a tough match, and l wasn’t expecting such performance and stiff opposition from Wuse, judging from their previous games. They were more brilliant than l expected, but we were better, of course, and we won expectedly. l must commend the officiating officials. They tried.”

The Captain of the Lugbe team, Brother Anselm Okoro (KSM) remarked: “I feel deeply grateful to God Almighty for granting us this victory in the final match of the AACMO Football Tournament against the Wuse Deanery team. It is a moment of great joy, pride, and thanksgiving for me as the captain of the Lugbe Deanery team.

“I sincerely appreciate my teammates for their commitment, sacrifice, and determination throughout the tournament. My gratitude also goes to our dedicated Coaching Crew, the Lugbe Deanery Sports Committee, the Executive Committee of the Lugbe Deanery Council, and our amazing supporters whose encouragement and prayers inspired us to give our best.

“Winning this championship is a reflection of the unity, discipline, confidence, and hard work that defined our team. We are honoured to be crowned the Worthy Champions of this tournament, and we dedicate this victory to everyone who stood with us.

“I equally commend the Wuse Deanery team for giving us a very competitive and exciting final. They demonstrated great sportsmanship, and as brothers united by the same faith, we are all champions in the spirit of fellowship and unity.

“I also congratulate the Local Organizing Committee for their excellent work in making this tournament a great success.”

The Chairman of CMO Bamishi Outstation, St. Kizito Parish, Kuje, Chief Micah James Gora, an enlightened football coach and retired Grade 1 football referee, congratulated “the esteemed Lugbe Deanery CMO players, team officials and the entire CMO members in the deanery for the triumph. It is important that this team is sustained. They made us proud as a deanery with their scintillating performance.”

Chief Gora, who is also the Vice Chairman, Nigeria Association of Athletics Technical Officials (NAATO), noted that “The organisers did well in ensuring proper coordination of the tournament. Getting qualified officials to officiate the matches is highly commendable, as it contributed greatly to the success of the tournament.”

In the third-place match played earlier, Karo Deanery defeated Bwari to clinch the 3rd position. Brother Joseph Okhimhe of Lugbe Deanery was declared the best goalkeeper of the tournament. The highest goal scorer is Brother Christopher Abbey also of Lugbe Deanery, while the best player award went to a player from the Wuse Deanery team.