32 Teams For Bet9ja Foundation Ex- Internationals’ Cup

A total of 32 teams will take part in the 2026 edition of Bet9ja Foundation Ex- Internationals’ Cup slated to kickoff in few weeks time.

Some of the teams who have already been adopted by the ex- internationals are; Fc Akanni, Fc Ikpaye, Fc Ikpeba, Fc Ekpo, Fc Nieketen, Fc Dosu, Fc Okpara and Fc Obafemi.

Others are; Fc Omoruyi, Fc Agbai, Fc Ogunlade, Fc Oloyede, Fc Udeze, Fc Ugbade, Fc Disu, and Fc Amao amongst others.

This was disclosed by the Chairman of Lagos State Football Association, Hajji Lameed Gafar Friday during a press conference/ draws to herald the tournament which is being put together by leading sports betting company, Bet9ja in collaboration with the Lagos FA.

According to Gafar, the championship which will be played in all the 20 Local Government Areas of the state, will be on home and away basis, before going into the round of 16, then round of 8, semi- finals and the grande finale.

The Lagos State FA boss, while commending the CEO of Bet9ja, Hon. Kunle Soname for sponsoring the tournament, which will help to bring back memories of the exploits of the legends; says it will also serve as inspiration to young talented footballers who’ll see them as their role models.

” The idea of this tournament is not only to honour our legends, but to take football back to communities where they grew up.

“We know that these ex- internationals reside in all the 20 Local Government Areas of the state and that’s why we’re taking the game to these communities and I look forward to an entertaining tournament”, he stressed.

In his own remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on grassroots sports development, Adeboye Anthony Adeyinka commended Lagos FA and the CEO of Bet9ja, Hon. Kunle Soname for coming up with such a wonderful initiative aimed at honouring those that brought honour to the country through the round leather game.

He harped on the need to respect and honour those who brought glory to the country when they’re still alive and not when they are dead, with an appeal to government at all levels to always remember, reward and honor the legends as is done in other clines.

” I can tell you that the President is happy with what you are doing today because he’s a firm believer in rewarding sports men and women and I want to make a special appeal to governors, sports administrators and stakeholders to always honour our legends when they’re alive and not when they’re dead”, he stated.

Also speaking, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo- Olu who was represented by the Commissioner For Youths and Social Development, Omobolaji Ogunlende Abubakre, expressed happiness with the competition, noting that the Lagos State government, being a youth friendly government will always support any programme that will impact positively on the youths.

He posited that the tournament will help the youths of Lagos identify their role models and aspire to be like them or even surpass their records.

In his goodwill messages, NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau who was represented by a board member of the football house, Aisha Falode, while commending Hon. Kunle Soname for the wonderful initiative, pledged the football’s house support to the tournament.

Some of the draws indicate that Fc Atine will be up against Fc Obafemi with Fc Omoruyi taking on Fc Aiyegbeni just as Fc Okpara will text the might of Fc Agbai.

Also Fc Disu will meet Fc Enegwai, Fc Odinni will face Fc Ikpeba with Fc Udeze squaring up against Fc Ugbade, amongst others.

Meanwhile, the organizers have released match venues for the tournament which includes; Mainbowl National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, Legacy pitch, National Stadium Surulere, Lagos, Nathaniel Idowu Unity Primary School, Orege, Ajegunle, Maracana Pitch, Ajegunle, Mobolaji Johnson Arena (Onikan) Stadium, CMS Grammar School, Bariga and FHA field FESTAC Town, Lagos.

Others are; Landmark Sports Complex, Ikorodu, Alade Stadium, Abesan Estate mini stadium, Ipaja, Eleja Primary School Igbogbo, St Jude Primary School Ilasamaja and Abulado Bethlehem field Omonle.

Highlight of the draws was the observation of a minute silence for late Henry Nwosu ( MON) and Peter Rufai