1X CUP 2025: Dramas, Shocks And Goals As Tournament Enters Rounds Of 16
By Akeem Busari
The third edition of the prestigious 1X football cup championship, has not failed to live up to its billings, with dramas, shocks and avalanche of goals that comes with competition for the biggest prize in grassroots football in Nigeria.
Sixty four teams that included traditional teams and newbies began the journey and expectedly, it threw up some shocking results.
Interestingly, first timers like Kazeem Eletu FC, Melody FC, Power Of the Cross, Soccer Cardinals and a few others claimed some renowned scalps to move into the rounds of 32.
A few players notched up hattricks and double braces in the early round of matches. And nine matches in this round, were decided by the penalty lotteries. A testament of the competitiveness of the ever-growing tournament.
After 32 matches and 93 goals recorded in the round of 64, a remarkable disciplinary record was also achieved with two red cards in the first round of matches.
As the rounds of 32 begins Thursday, at the same venue, the Inspire Sports Arena, Oshodi, battles for the group stage are expected to be fiercely contested and of course, more big names are also likely to fall.
The Chief Executive of Match International Limited, the consultants and organisers of the tournament, Engr. Waidi Akanni, expressed satisfaction with the standard of play, the level of discipline, commitment and top level officiating witnessed in the first preliminary round.
“The teams, officials and everyone involved in this year’s edition have done tremendously well. And that’s a testament to the organisational skills and commitment of the organisers and of course, the unflinching commitment of the sponsors, towards developing football at the grassroots level.”
“Ahead of the second round of matches, we look forward to improving on all fronts and not rest on our oars, in ensuring this prestigious tournament maintain its pride of place, as the best and biggest grassroots football championship in Nigeria,” Akanni, a former ex-Nigeria international player remarked gleefully.
As the tournament moves forward, football fans will get to see the true contenders grind it out for the grand prize of N20million, the biggest in grassroots football in Nigeria.
