Abuja Veterans Showdown: MC Steve, UATH Cling to Final-day Hopes

By Arinzechi Chukwunonso

The Abuja Veterans Invitational Tournament roared with drama as Capital City deepened Veragold’s misery with a commanding 3-0 victory. For Veragold—a side largely made up of elite serving and retired military men—their debut campaign has been a baptism of fire, leaking 13 goals in three matches. Yet, they cling to a razor-thin thread of hope.

To qualify, Veragold must conjure a miracle: score six unanswered goals against Capital Sportif—who themselves are in a must-win scenario—and pray other group results fall kindly. It’s a mountain to climb, but in football, stranger things have happened.

Meanwhile, Games Village FC played spoilers with stubborn grit, holding Sportif to a frustrating 1-1 draw. Despite dictating play, Sportif couldn’t find the decisive goal that would have booked their ticket to the Round of 16.

Elsewhere, MC Steve, down but not out after two consecutive losses, showed lion-hearted resilience to snatch a 1-1 draw from already-qualified Zee Michael. Their fate now hinges on a winner-takes-all clash with UATH, who also sit on a knife’s edge after a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Karu All Stars.

With just one ticket left in their group, the stage is set for a dramatic final day where survival instincts, strategy, and sheer willpower will decide who joins the last 16.