Rookie Teams Set To Shine In Lagos FA Cup Opener.
Football fever is about to grip Lagos as 28 rookie teams prepare to ignite the pitch in the opening round of the Lagos State Challenge Cup, widely known as the Lagos FA Cup. The tournament, set to commence on January 22, 2025, will unfold across various venues in what promises to be the state’s largest football spectacle of the year.
A total of 80 teams have registered for the men’s division, showcasing the depth of talent and enthusiasm for football in Lagos. Meanwhile, the women’s category will feature four competing teams, highlighting the growing interest in women’s football within the state.
The draw, conducted at the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) secretariat on Wednesday, outlined an exciting lineup for the first round. The opening match will see Kakawa FC take on Royalty FC, setting the tone for what is expected to be a series of thrilling encounters. Other notable first-round matches include Diadem Stallion FC versus Arubinjaga FC, and Dijon FA squaring off against Burns Boys.
The excitement doesn’t end there, with Prince Kazeem Eletu FC facing Innovator FC, Hephziser FC battling Fackson Tofida FC, and Vido FC going head-to-head with Ibeju Lekki United FC. Seamoriow FC will challenge Swift FC, while Ona-Ara FC will meet Ikorodu City FA. Further matches include FC Middlewell versus Seamoriow FA, China Sun Stars against FC Gemstone, Oba’s FA challenging Okaka Academy, Great Height versus Unification FC, L City confronting Orin FC, and Millennium Family FC facing Osykay FC.
At the draw conference, LSFA Vice Chairman Adedotun Coker spoke with enthusiasm about the upcoming tournament. He assured that significant improvements in organization and officiating would be evident this year, calling on all participants to play by the book and uphold the spirit of fair play.
This year’s Lagos FA Cup not only provides a platform for emerging talents to showcase their skills but also fosters community spirit through the love of football. As the teams prepare to battle it out on the field, fans across Lagos are eagerly anticipating what could be one of the most memorable cups in recent times.