Guardian

NEW comers, Auden Kangimi, at the weekend defeated ambitious Keffi Ponys in a tense final at the Fifth Chukker field, Kaduna, to win their first ever Access Bank/UNICEF International Polo Tournament’s Charity Shield.

Within three days of explosive battles, the four teams’ high-goal showdown narrowed to two finalists with Auden Kangimi defeating the hard fighting Keffi Ponys10-9 in a closely fought final to clinch the glittering title.

Living up to its competitive tradition, this year’s Charity Shield final was a neck –to- neck confrontation with Keffi Ponys parading Aliyu Wadada, Hamisu Buba, Frankie Menendez and Santiago Sernadas jumping to 3-1 lead in the opening chukkas.

But their lead soon fizzled out following the exploits of the quartet of Babangida Hassan, Mancini Oscar, Diego White and Musty Fashinro in Auden Kangimi colours to draw the victors level in the fourth chukka.

The two rivals, who were eyeing their first Charity shield title, gave the excited crowd plenty to cheer for as the victory pendulum swung from one end to the other.

The decisive fifth chukka put paid to Keffi’s ambition, as the home favourites, Kangimi pulled ahead with inspiring display from Hassan, Fashinro and White, who scored the last goal to give Auden Kangimi a deserved victory.

Access Bank/Fifth Chukker team, who were eyeing their fourth title as defending champions, could not make it to the final after losing 8-4 to Keffi Ponys in the semi-final stage, while another new comer, MTN missed the final ticket on technical ground.

With a glittering shield and a whopping $20,000 winners-take –all cash prize in their kitty, Kangimi were truly in their best elements, defeating a crack field of top professionals in the Access Bank/UNICEF Charity Polo extravaganza reputed as the biggest in the continent.

Earlier, Kano RTC had defeated Abuja Rubicon to win the coveted Access Bank Cup, while Work-to Ride from USA outpaced DeeBee Farms (2) to clinch their fourth UNICEF Cup title.

Proceeds from the prestigious annual tournament in addition to N5million donation from Access Bank Plc, would be used to support UNICEF in support of its campaign against HIV AIDS pandemic.