Garden City Panthers FC, Champions of the Dana Cup 2023 Boys 18/19 categories.

Garden City Panthers FC, Champions of the Dana Cup 2023 Boys 18/19 categories.

Garden City Panthers FC (NIG) – Madla IL 2 (NOR) (2-0)

In the first half, both teams started with a lot of energy and it actually looked as if the players on both teams all wanted the ball. Therefore, it was also very typical of the game that a huge defensive error was needed for Garden City Panthers FC to take a 1-0 lead.

On the other hand, the 2-0 goal was no coincidence. It was quite simply the prettiest goal of the finals, so far. After a fantastic play, the ball was hammered into the goal beyond the reach of the Norwegian goalkeeper.

Six minutes into the second half, Madla IL had a golden opportunity to score, but missed a penalty. For the rest of the game, Garden City Panthers FC cruised home without putting too much effort into the game – even with only 10 men on the pitch.

Ruthless, Garden City Panthers of Abuja also lifted the U-19 Boys category of the competition beating off 76 other teams from across eight countries to win the cup.

In their first game in the group stage, Garden City Panthers thrashed Notodden Fotballklubb of Norway 4-0 and secured another 2-0 win over a Norwegian side, Klofta IL 1.

Garden City Panthers drew 1-1 with Donn FK of Norway, had a more improved performance with a fine 3-0 comfortable win over Skarphedin IL of Norway.

Garden City faced a more tougher side in IK Kongahalla of Sweden but triumphed 1-0 to zoom to the quarter finals where it thrashed IF Moldal Fotboll of Sweden 3-0.

The Nigerian Boys further imposed themselves on the competition with a fine 5-0 win over Vidar FK 1 of Norway in the semi final and triumphed 2-0 in the final match versus Madla IL 2 of Norway to lift the trophy.

Garden City Panthers’ Greg Odibu won the U-19 category in the individual award at the competition.