Zenith Bank/Delta Principals Cup: Organisers Confirm September 18 Kick-Off, Release Schedule

The competition to dethrone Ogbomro Grammar School, Uvwie, as champions of the Zenith Bank/Delta Principals Cup has officially commenced, following the release of the timeline for the 2025 edition of the tournament.

Ogbomro Grammar School clinched the title by defeating Umutu Secondary School 2-0 in the final of the seventh edition of the revamped Principal Cup, held on 7 November 2024 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta State.

According to the 2025 timeline, school registrations will occur from Monday, 8 September, to Friday, 12 September, at various secondary schools throughout Delta State.

A press briefing is scheduled for Tuesday, 16 September, at the Ministry Conference Room, ahead of the official tournament kick-off at St. Patrick’s College, Asaba, on Thursday, 18 September, with the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, expected to perform the ceremonial opening of the eighth edition of the championships.

The preliminary stage of the Zenith Bank/Delta Principals Cup will take place across all Local Government Areas in the state from Monday, 22 September, to Thursday, 25 September, with screenings conducted each day prior to the games, which will commence at 2 PM daily.

Zonal matches are set to occur at eight designated venues across the state from Tuesday, 30 September, to Thursday, 2 October, while the final eight teams will compete in the quarter-finals on Tuesday, 7 October, at four venues to be determined based on the locations of the qualified schools.

The semi-final matches will take place on Thursday, 9 October, at two venues to be announced, with the third-place playoff and final scheduled for Thursday, 16 October, at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.