The eargerly-awaited Ex-Nigeria Internationals football tournament organised by Lagos State Football Association kicks off Saturday, with three matches to be played on matchday 1, in two different centres.
In the opening match, FC Ugbade would play host to FC Nieketein at the Nitel ground, Oshodi, at 7am.
Other matchday 1 games would hold at Legacy pitch Surulere, as FC Omoruyi and FC Obafemi trade tackles at 10am, while FC Elaho and FC Udeze do battle on the same pitch at 12pm.
According to the organisers, the tournament which would see 32 Lagos based ex-Nigeria internationals adopting various teams purposedly for the tournament, would be played on a home and away knockout basis across different playgrounds including Legacy Pitch Surulere; Nitel Ground, Oshodi; Maracana Stadium, Ajegunle; Victor Agali Stadium, Badagry; Jalisco stadium, Oshodi and other selected grounds.
Speaking on the historic tournament, Chairman of the organising committee, Engr. Waidi Akanni, said the tournament is expected to have these retired national teams players on the touchlines, ditching out tactical instructions to their various adopted teams, as coach-mentor.
“This is historic and unprecedented, as football fans would have the opportunity to see their once favourite players, passing on instructions to the younger players during the tournament,” he remarked excitedly.
“This is a well-planned and unique tournament. Already, the 32 teams have been fully kitted and of course, with adequate logistics arrangement to make it hitch-free,” Akanni, a former Chairman of LSFA disclosed.
While assuring soccer fans, players and officials of a top quality organisation, he also enthused that the tournament is expected to set an enviable benchmark for grassroots football development.