1XCUP 2024: Shomolu/Bariga FC Eye N20m Prize, Begin Title Defence

Reigning champions Shomolu/Bariga FC of Lagos have been drawn into Group 2 for the 2024 1XCUP tournament, where they will meet Ilupeju Piller, the only non-Lagos based team in the competition, as they bid to retain their title and claim the N20 million cash prize.

The 20-team tournament, approved by the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), aims to promote grassroots football development and discover new talents.

The competition is divided into four groups of five teams, with the winner of each group qualifying for the quarterfinals. A playoff will be played between the second and third teams of each group to determine the additional four teams that will join the group winners in the quarterfinals.

The tournament will kick off on August 5 at Legacy Field and will be played weekly on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays for six weeks. The final match will take place on September 25 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos.

Speaking after the draw, a representative of Shomolu/Bariga FC said they were prepared to go all the way to the finals again.

Coach of Odion Ighalo FC, the team that lost in the last year’s final, Adeyemi Irinyemi, stated, “This year’s competition will be intense. We lost the final last year due to overconfidence, but we will correct our mistakes this time around.”

A former Super Eagles player and football scout, Victor Agali, expressed his support for the competition, saying, “It’s a positive initiative that brings communities and youths together, providing an opportunity for young talents to shine.

“Last year, it was amazing and now with the price money, and having a team outside Lagos coming to take part is something positive for our society looking at the situation surrounding our country now. So it’s something we need to support to get the young ones occupied and get them busy.

“Personally, I would try to cover some matches because I am a scout as well. And I know that there are some scouts who will be walking around to see if they would find something and also, the league is on break and so coaches too can move around. So I think it is a perfect timing for everything. Let just take advantage of it and build the young ones and give them opportunities.”

The outcome of the draw shows Group A: Bethel FC, G-12 FA, 11Football Academy, Gunners Links FC, Wasola FC; Group B: Shomolu/Bariga FC, Collins Edwin FC, Team 360 FC, Dosu FA, Ilupeju Piller; Group C: Odion Ighalo FA, Young Striker FC, Emiloju FC, Emaljus FC, Ikorodu Eagles, and Group D: 36 Lions FC, Dominion Hotspur FC, Diadem Stallion Club, Royalty FC, and China Sunstar FC.