Aphuyemi FC, Zunheboto emerged champions of the 5th Nagaland Futsal Club Championship 2026 after defeating the debutants Aspirants FC, Kohima 5-3 in an entertaining grand finale held at Riga’s Astro-Turf, New Terogvunyu, Tseminyu on Saturday. Aphuyemi had earlier also won the 2nd & 3rd Nagaland Futsal Championships .
With the victory, Aphuyemi FC not only lifted the championship trophy and claimed the winner’s cash prize of Rs 1 lakh but also secured direct qualification to represent Nagaland at the National Futsal Championship. Runners-up Aspirants FC Kohima received a cash award of Rs 50,000.
Pulovi, wearing jersey number 17 for Aphuyemi FC, starred in the final by netting a brilliant hat-trick to guide his side to the title.
Aspirants FC stormed into the final with a commanding 15-2 victory over TRS FC, Tuensang in the first semifinal, while Aphuyemi FC edged past SC Nagaland, Mon 4-3 in a closely contested second semifinal.
An exhibition match between the Nagaland Football Association (NFA) and host Football Association Tseminyu District (FATD) was also played ahead of the championship final.
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The three-day championship, organised by the Nagaland Football Association and hosted by the Football Association Tseminyu District, featured ten teams competing in a league-cum-knockout format.
Presenting the tournament report, Coordinator Hethanglo Kath expressed gratitude to the Nagaland Football Association for entrusting FATD with the responsibility of hosting the state-level event. While acknowledging that there was room for improvement, he assured that the organisers would strive to deliver an even better tournament in the future.
Kath also thanked participating clubs, match officials, volunteers, the youths and Village Council of New Terogvunyu, and all stakeholders for contributing to the successful conduct of the championship.
The tournament was officiated by a panel of experienced match officials.
The grand finale featured performance by Obed Kath from Divine Connection and Medolenuo Ambrosia Loucü serving as host.
A total of ten teams participated in this year’s edition. Group A comprised RN Boys FC (Dimapur), Vanguard Academy (Tseminyu), Aphuyemi FC (Zunheboto), Vanguard FC (Tseminyu) and TRS FC (Tuensang), while Group B featured Aspirants FC (Kohima), Ipuing FC (Peren), SC Nagaland (Mon), Legacy FC (Wokha) and CTYC (Chümoukedima).
