Churchill Brothers lifted their first national title edging out Mahindra United 1-0 in the final of the 120th Osian’s Durand Cup football tournament here at Dr Ambedkar Stadium today.

Leading from the front was their charismatic captain Odafe Onyeka Okolie. The Nigerian slammed the winner in the 11th minute, taking his tally to 11 from four matches in the meet.

The Nigerian received the golden boot for top-scoring in the tournament, while defender Gouramangi Singh was voted the best player of the tournament.

The match started on an explosive note as Churchill’s Mboyo Iyomi hit the net in the 1st minute with a perfectly timed volley off a cross from Thokchom Naoba Singh, but it was ruled off-side by linesman Deepak Singh.

The move set the tone for the grand finale as both teams got into the attacking mode instantly.

And it was the Nigerian poacher Odafe yet again to hit the mark in the 11th minute. The Churchill captain collected a cross from Raju just outside the box and dodged Ravanan before unleashing a ferocious hit past Sandeep Nandi under the bar.

Mahindra’s defence, that had not let in a single goal in regulation time so far, appeared clueless in the absence of NP Pradeep, ruled out of the final with hamstring injury.

Odafe and Iyomi, with their power and skill, combined well to make some good moves, but none translated into goals.

Particularly impressive was a dribble by Odafe in the midfield when, surrounded by an army of challengers, the Nigerian displayed great skill to take the ball through.

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