Top Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) teams, Nigeria National League (NNL) and Nationwide League One (NLO) are perfecting preparations for the annual Ogunjobi Gold Cup Pre-season Tournament.
The organizers of the Nigeria’s most organised and glamorous pre-season have invited teams various Nigerian League sides for the seventh edition of the prestigious football event which is billed to take place from Thursday August 29 through Saturday September 7, at the Kwara Sports Complex, Ilorin.
Sunshine Stars International Football Club emerged winners of the last edition after claiming a 1-0 victory over Kwara United Football Club to lift the diadem in Akure, Ondo State capital.
According to the General Coordinator of the tournament, Tunde Shamsudeen, he noted that the seventh edition promises to be bigger and more competitive with invitation extended to top Nigerian League sides who have shown readiness for the pre-season tourney.
The invited teams for the prestigious pre-season tournament are defending champions, Sunshine Stars, Lobi Stars, Plateau United, MFM FC, Rivers United, Abia Warriors, Remo Star, Kwara United, FC Ebedei and Wasiu Alabelewe FC.
Shamsudeen revealed the plans, strategy and prizes to be won at the end of the competition in an interview session with the media team of the pre-season event.
“We’ve sent invitation letter to clubs and they have shown to us that they are ready.
“We’re doing everything to ensure we make the tournament more glamorous with a cash prize for the winner, runners up, a giant Gold trophy, Silver trophy and Gold and Silver medals. The last edition was a huge success for us and all the participated teams.
“The media coverage and the support from the media was massive hence, we will like to appreciate everyone who supported the project as we look forward to another remarkable pre-season event.”
He noted that the teams are expected to play 4 group matches with the first two teams with highest number of points qualifying for the semi-finals.
“The tournament will be of high level and it’s basically to ignite the spirit of the game and to also help the teams test their players before the commencement of the 2019/20 Nigerian League season,” Shamsudeen said.
The Nigeria’s First Pre-Season Tournament is sponsored by distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic, Dr. Buhari Abdul-Fatai (BAF), and proudly supported by Taiwo Joseph Ogunjobi Foundation, Nigeria Football Federation Executive Committee Member; Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, foremost betting company, Bet9ja, Nigeria leading sportswear firm, ‘Owu’, Newbell Global Investment, Naija League Magazine, Matchroom, Sportspro, 11th Media Global Concept, Phreestyle Sports, Kao Concept, Seyi Akinwunmi Charity Foundation, Dejavu Communication and Play Sportswear.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
