AFH Targets Lower-League Development with ₦3m Pre-Season Tournament in Sagamu

Published –
By Maxwell Kumoye and Raymond Nwaduba
 


Ten clubs from Nigeria's second- and third-tier football leagues will converge on Sagamu, Ogun State, from October 15 to 24 for the inaugural African Football Holding (AFH) Pre-Season Tournament, with ₦2 million awaiting the eventual champions.

The competition, which will take place at FC Ebedei Stadium in Apele, is aimed at giving Nigeria National League (NNL) and Nationwide League One (NLO) sides the opportunity to test their squads in competitive matches before the start of their respective campaigns.

Beyond the battle for silverware, the tournament is expected to provide a platform for clubs to assess new players, improve tactical cohesion and build match fitness ahead of the new season.

It also offers participating footballers an opportunity to showcase their abilities, with organisers disclosing that top European scouts are expected to monitor the competition for players who could attract overseas opportunities.

The maiden edition features a 10-team field split into two groups of five, with the group winners progressing to the final scheduled for Saturday, October 24.

Group Winners to Decide First Champions

Under the format communicated to participating clubs, each team will play four matches in the group stage.

The side that finishes top of Group A will face the winner of Group B in the final to determine the first champions of the AFH Pre-Season Tournament.

The Main Organising Committee (MOC), through its General Coordinator, Tunde Shamsudeen, has circulated the competition schedule to the media and representatives of the participating teams.

In its communication to the clubs, the committee called for adequate preparation and urged all participants to maintain discipline, fair play and professionalism throughout the competition.

The organisers said the tournament was conceived to deliver meaningful pre-season competition for clubs whose opportunities to participate in established preparations have traditionally been more limited than those available to teams in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

Venue Change Before Kick-off

The competition was originally scheduled for the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta before organisers moved it to FC Ebedei Stadium.

The change followed a reported scheduling conflict involving Rangers International FC's CAF Champions League commitments at the initial venue during the tournament period.

A proposed switch to Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne also proved unsuccessful because of scheduling clashes involving El-Kanemi Warriors' CAF Confederation Cup engagement and the Super Falcons.

FC Ebedei Stadium will consequently host the 10-day competition, which organisers hope will establish a platform for lower-league clubs to prepare for the challenges of the new season.

₦3 Million Combined Prize Money

The tournament offers a combined ₦3 million in prize money for the two finalists.

The champions will pocket ₦2 million and receive the winners' trophy, while the runners-up will earn ₦1 million. Both finalists will also receive medals.

Organisers have described the competition as an opportunity to combine competitive preparation with exposure for emerging talents, particularly players seeking to attract the attention of scouts beyond Nigeria.

Full List of Participating Teams

GROUP A

- Grassrunners Jnr.
- FC Ebedei
- Eko United
- Sunshine Stars
- Dokkal Khairu

GROUP B

- Ebedei Sports College
- Grassrunners FC
- Crown FC
- Ikorodu City FA
- Stormers SC

With the countdown to kick-off underway, the 10 teams will be competing not only for the inaugural title and financial rewards but also for the chance to gain valuable match experience before their respective league campaigns begin.

Comments

Post a Comment

...IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Olukismet FC pens monumental deal with Hungarian top-tier side Kisvarda

Published –
Image
By Mishael Emmanuel    Ekiti State based Nigerian club Olukismet Football Club has signed a historic partnership deal with Hungarian top-flight outfit Kisvarda FC, as the Kisvarda based side looks to collaborate on players discovery, development and exposure to top levels of European and world football. The momentous partnership comes from the boots of talented midfielder prodigy, Ridwan Abdulrazak, who paved the way with a host of outstanding performances in Hungarian football circuit. Abdulrazak was previously scouted from Olukismet Football Club.   Following a strategic partnership meeting held in Lagos, last week, the President of Kisvarda FC, Revesz Atilla Utja, Portuguese FIFA football agent, Andre Cabete Portulez and Prince Olumide Fetus Adegboye graced Top Level Football Agency's football scouting tournament held over the weekend in the 'City of Excellence and Aquatic Splendor', in search for exceptional footballing talents in the mould of renowned Nig...
Read more

Experience, effort — Edo State's rise to Table Tennis success, Coach Goriola Olayiwola Wahab

Published –
Image
...Secures 13 medals as table tennis event comes to an end By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Abuja           From grass to grace, this is the inside story of Team Edo State's rise in table tennis, the once uneducated side powered by eagerness is now a consistent medal winner for the Heartbeat State. These are the words of the head coach of Team Edo table tennis, Goriola Olayiwola Wahab in an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG's Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye at the ongoing National Para Games in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. Coach Wahab, fond called Mr. Consistent, led Team Edo to secure 13 medals Games, 4 gold, 3 silver and 6 bronze medals. For coach Wahab in the Table Tennis coaching business it all began 1991, in Bauchi, when he teaching special athletes the games of pingpong. He then started working with the Spinal Cord Injury Association of Nigeria to help educate and train more athletes. “I started coac...
Read more

Hammer thrower Falana vows to rule Africa

Published –
Image
 By Mishael Emmanuel         Gabon’s national hammer record holder, Kenza Falana, is certain that her time to rule the spotlight and make headlines is now. It’s a medal within reach for the young Gabonese hammer thrower who was selected to represent her country at the CAA U-18/20 Championship, holding in Abeokuta, Ogun State, South-West, Nigeria. The 18-year-old who broke into the international stage a year ago at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, added that she is looking to revive the spirit of unity, commitment and collaboration — to back rising athletes in Africa. Speaking before silver-finish at the biennial championship, Falana said she was ready to rule the continent as soon as possible. She said: “I think it finally my chance with what I’m doing this Championships. I’ve been thinking of it this past year, thinking it would be such an opportunity to travel to Nigeria and even win a gold medal,” Falana stated in an interview with First ZealMe...
Read more

Poor scheduling of the Games, the reason behind Algeria’s underwhelming outing — Dr. Hafed Amine

Published –
Image
By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye           A key and prominent figure in the Algerian Athletics Federation (AAF), Dr. Hafed Mohamed Amine, has attributed Team Algeria’s subdued performance at the Islamic Solidarity Games to what he described as “poorly timed scheduling.” He made this statement during an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG's Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye, emphasizing that the timing of the Games collided with a crucial preparation window for Algeria’s elite athletes, a clash that significantly affected the team’s strength and participation. He stated that many of the country’s top performers were unavailable because they were deep in preparations for major international competitions. “This edition of the Islamic Solidarity Games was challenging for the Algerian Athletics Federation because the dates selected were not suitable,” he said. “The competition took place during a key preparation period for mos...
Read more

NPBL shockwaves, Hoops N’ Read almost out as Kano Pillars humble Lagos Legends

Published –
Image
By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye It’s heartbreak in the Lagos camp. Once the pride of Nigerian basketball, Hoops N’ Read BBC are almost out of the ongoing abridged Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) — ending their hopes of getting continental action. Despite a spirited 74–67 win over Nigeria Customs on Match Day 6 in Port Harcourt, the Lagos side’s late rally wasn’t enough to keep their Basketball Africa League (BAL) dream alive. With just two wins in six games, Hoops N’ Read sit sixth on the log — a far cry from their glory days as league heavyweights. Elsewhere, Gboko City Chiefs continued their ruthless march, dismantling Kwara Falcons 74–60. Led by the high-flying Kareem Joseph, a dunk specialist with a flair for flair, the Chiefs showed no mercy.  “This win proves our discipline and ability to execute,” Joseph said after the game — and his team’s performance backed it up. But the real drama unfolded in Game 3. The previously unbeaten Lagos Legends were ri...
Read more

NFF President, SSA to the President, others, arrive Morocco ahead of Playoffs

Published –
Image
By Mishael Emmanuel with additional reports    Nigeria continues to build momentum ahead of their make or mar 2026 World Cup Qualifier Playoff encounter against West African counterparts Gabon with key stakholders touching down in Morocco.   The high-power delegation was led by President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Musa Gusau; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sports Development, Hon. Adeboye Anthony Adeyinka; the General Secretary, Nigeria Football Federation and President, Authentic Nigeria Football and Allied Sports Supporters Club (ANFASSC), Prince Abayomi Ogunjimi. Their collective presence in the sunny North African nation reflects urgent efforts to ensure that the three-time African champions do not fall out along this final streak of important fixtures on the road to the World Cup finals scheduled to be hosted by Canada, America and Mexico next year. The arrival of football and government representatives underscores the colla...
Read more

D'Tigers overcome travel woes to seal first win in Angola

Published –
Image
...New era begins with comeback win as D'Tigers defeat Tunisia ...Fizdale reveals NBA stars keen to Join D'Tigers after Tunisia win ...Delighted with D'Tigers return – Ikenna Iroegbu ...Collective toughness earns victory over Tunisia – Fizdale By Maxwell Kumoye and Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye     Nigeria's senior men's basketball team, D'Tigers, produced a spirited comeback to defeat Tunisia 84-81 in their opening game of the FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers in Angola, with head coach David Fizdale hailing his players' resilience after overcoming a difficult build-up to the contest. The victory was particularly impressive considering the circumstances surrounding Nigeria's preparations, as the newly assembled squad had just one training session and a walkthrough before taking on one of Africa's most experienced teams. "We literally had one practice and one walkthrough," Fizdale told reporters after the game. ...
Read more

Support from family, fans and state fuels my drive — Long Jump gold medalist, Gowon Oghenerunor Gift

Published –
Image
…Eyes World U-20 Championship, CAA Seniors, Youth Olympics   By Mishael Emmanuel and Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Edo State, South-South, Nigeria          Long jump sensation Gowon Oghenerona Gift has credited the unwavering support of his family, fans and Delta State government as the propelling forces behind his gold medal triumph at the ongoing Niger Delta Games.   The energetic jumper, representing Team Delta, leaped to victory in the men’s long jump at the 2nd edition of the annual multi-sport festival, clearing a distance of 7.39m, to win gold.   Speaking to your authoritative and award-winning news channel FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG, Gowon Oghenerona Gift, revealed that he arrived with high expectations but still had to put in a double shift to secure top spot.   “I was already expecting a gold medal, due to my recent performance. I wasn't at my best, but I needed to show...
Read more

Benin, Togo, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana athletes set for Dynamic Athletics Meet in August

Published –
Image
By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye      Athletes from Benin, Togo, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana and host nation Nigeria are gearing up for the highly anticipated Dynamic Athletics Meet, scheduled to take place in mid-August at the Yabatech Sports Complex in Lagos. Dynamic Athletics founder and meet organiser, Olabanji Ayegbusi, confirmed that the World Athletics-listed competition has already generated strong interest across West Africa, with athletes from the participating countries indicating their readiness through emails and other communication channels. With the 2026 athletics season gradually drawing to a close, many competitors see the meet as an ideal opportunity to round off their campaigns on a high note by producing outstanding performances, achieving personal bests and improving their world rankings. The Dynamic Athletics Meet has built a reputation for producing high-quality performances over the years, including world-leading marks, meeting records and...
Read more

Infantino proposes players send-off for covering their mouths in confrontations

Published –
Image
      FIFA president Gianni Infantino has raised the prospect of red cards being shown to players who cover their mouths when confronting opponents. The issue has been highlighted in recent weeks after Real Madrid player Vinicius Junior said he was racially insulted by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni during a Champions League match. Prestianni, who denies the allegations, had approached Vinicius while covering his mouth with his jersey during Madrid’s 1-0 win in the first leg of the playoff match. He was provisionally suspended for the second leg while an investigation was being carried out. The issue of players covering their mouths was discussed on Saturday at a meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB). Measures could come into force at this summer’s World Cup. “If a player covers his mouth and says something, and this has a racist consequence, then he has to be sent off, obviously,” Infantino told Sky News. “There must be a presumption t...
Read more