TIB, MCC Celebrate Solidarity Through Football as Novelty Match Ends in Laughter, Camaraderie
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| The TIB All Stars (MCC) Team, before the commencement of the competition (Photo Credited: AyoDaReporter) |
What began as a friendly football showdown between comrades ended as a memorable celebration of friendship, solidarity and movement spirit as members of the Take It Back (TIB) Movement and the Maximum Comfort Comrades (MCC) squared off in an entertaining novelty match held on Saturday, 25th of July, 2026 at Goodwin Turf, VGC area of Lagos State.
The five-a-side encounter was reportedly organised to honour and welcome Comrade Olawale Adebayo, popularly known as “Mandate,” a prominent Osun-based activist and leader of the Take It Back Movement, who recently returned to Nigeria from abroad.
The match brought together some of the movement’s most prominent leaders and grassroots organisers in what participants described as a refreshing break from the constant demands of activism.
The MCC side featured an array of veteran activists and political leaders, including the National Chairman of the Take It Back Movement, the former African Action Congress (AAC) Lagos State Chairman, the Chairman of the AAC in Oyo State and several other senior comrades who have played key roles in the movement over the years.
On the opposing side, the TIB Osun Comrades were led by Mandate himself, alongside the former AAC Lagos State Youth Leader, the National Treasurer of the African Action Congress and other comrades from Osun State.
The match got off to an exciting start as the TIB team stunned their more experienced opponents by scoring the opening goal just minutes after kick-off, raising hopes that they could pull off an upset.
However, the early lead proved short-lived.
The MCC All-Stars quickly found their rhythm, taking control of the game with slick passing, clinical finishing and coordinated teamwork. Goal after goal followed as the experienced side overwhelmed their opponents in an entertaining contest that kept spectators cheering throughout.
By the final whistle, the scoreboard read 9–4 in favour of the Maximum Comfort Comrades, highlighting their dominance despite the spirited performance from the Osun-based TIB side.
In the spirit of comradeship and unity that defined the event, organisers jokingly declared the encounter a “draw,” turning what could have been an embarrassing defeat into another moment of laughter among friends and fellow activists.
Beyond the goals and competition, the novelty match underscored the importance of building stronger relationships within progressive movements outside the usual atmosphere of protests, meetings and political mobilisation.
Participants described the event as a reminder that activism also requires moments of relaxation, recreation and fellowship to strengthen bonds among comrades.
The atmosphere after the match was filled with laughter, photo sessions and conversations, as players from both teams celebrated the success of the event regardless of the result.
The excitement generated by the encounter has already sparked calls for more sporting engagements among activists.
Following the match, the members of the African Action Congress (AAC) in Oyo State publicly challenged the AAC Lagos State chapter to another friendly football showdown, raising expectations that a new inter-state rivalry could soon be added to the movement’s calendar.
If accepted, the proposed fixture is expected to bring together activists from both states for another day of football, friendship and solidarity.
For many who witnessed Saturday’s encounter, the novelty match demonstrated that while comrades remain committed to advocating for justice, accountability and social change, they also recognise the value of taking time to unwind, strengthen friendships and celebrate one another beyond the frontlines of activism.
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