The organizers have announced the roster of meticulously chosen, ambitious, and business-focused clubs from Nigeria for the third edition of the Jagaban Cup, scheduled to take place from March 24 to March 27, 2025.
Among the participating teams are last year’s finalists, 36 Lion, along with FC Bethel and Broad City.
Notably, the unexpected standout from the Nigeria Premier League, Ikorodu City, is also included.
Additional teams set to compete are Imperial FC, Ijebu United, and SGFC Athletics.
Dino SC, recognized as a significant source of talent for European clubs, will also be traveling to Lagos for the tournament.
The Jagaban Cup is supported by partners including 36 Lion Investment, Diamond Sports Management Limited, IFMM, and Lagos Enigma Group.
The tournament will take place at Legacy Pitch in Lagos, welcoming European scouts for a duration of four days.
Previous editions of the tournament attracted scouts from more than six countries, resulting in numerous players receiving invitations for trials abroad and securing contracts.
Notable success stories from the Jagaban Cup include Uchenna Emmanuel (Sparta Praha), Joseph Oloko (Liepija), Samuel Isife (Vlasim), Chukuebuka Enyiazu (Pardubice), Peter Kareem (Bohemians 1905), and Solomon Agbalaka (Sochi).
To participate in the tournament, teams must ensure that their players have accumulated a minimum of 2,500 minutes of playtime in each leg.
Wale Joseph, who is a Chairman of the Jagaban Cup Organizing Committee, addressed the media on Sunday night, stated that the scouts were impressed with the quality observed in the previous two editions and believe there is a wealth of untapped talent in Nigeria.
“Clubs have shown enthusiasm for participating in the competition due to the opportunities and exposure it offers. We have already devised plans to exceed the achievements of past editions.
“The primary goal of the Jagaban Cup is to create pathways for players to advance in their careers and achieve success. We successfully engaged the youths in previous editions, and they are eager to participate in this year’s event, reflecting their trust in our organization.
“Football serves as a unifying force for Nigerian youth. The feedback we have received has been overwhelmingly positive. Fans are eager to experience the excitement of the Jagaban Cup, and we are thrilled to rekindle that enthusiasm,” he added.
Joseph however expressed gratitude to the Lagos State Football Association, led by Hajj Olawale Gafar Liameed, for giving grassroots teams an opportunity to take part in the scouting tournament and providing young players with a platform for discovery and exposure.
