Former goalkeeper of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Peter Rufai has given a thumb up to the leadership of Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) under the headship of Ogboni Fouad Oki for bringing the vision of organising a pre-season tournament for Lagos-based clubs in the Nigeria National League (NNL) and the Nationwide League One (NLO) for getting them ready for the 2023/2024 campaign.
According to the FA, the pre-season tournament is being organised by the Lagos FA will serve as a preparatory event for the teams that will compete in the Nigeria National League (NNL) and Nationwide League One (NLO).
Independent News Express reports that the competition will kick off on Monday, 18 September 2023 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan
Rufai said the tournament will keep the teams on their toes into the various leagues. “It will be an opportunity for the coaching department to assess themselves and the players in examining their strengths and weaknesses”, said Rufai.
Three NNL and 13 NLO teams were drawn to compete at the tournament with the clubs pulled into four groups of four teams each for the preliminary round.
In Group A are First Bank FC, Real Sapphire, Lekki United and Broad City. Tradesafe Sports FC, A.S Racine, Emmydinho FC and BYT FC are in group B.
Smart City FC, Okaka FC, TCCG FC and Dannaz FC are in group C, while 2023 Lagos FA Cup champions, Ikorodu City are pitched in Group C alongside Spartans FC, Magic Stars and Buruj FC.
Speaking at the press conference and the draws for the tournament, Vice Chairman, Lagos State Football Association, Liameed Gafar said the tournament will help the teams to test their squads ahead of the forthcoming season.
Liameed stated further that the quality of quality of officiating will be top notch throughout the tournament and urged the teams to use the championship to expose and showcase their players.
First Bank FC and Real Sapphire will clash in the opening match of the five-day tournament. Eight matches will play on each day during the group phase. The final is scheduled to hold on Friday, September 22nd.
