Ikorodu City FA Emerged Winner Of 1xCup 2025 After Tough Battle With ISAGT

Ikorodu City Football Academy have been crowned champions of the 1xCup 2025 after edging ISAGT in a pulsating final on Thursday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

The much-anticipated encounter lived up to expectations, serving up end-to-end football, missed chances, and a dramatic red card that heightened the tension in the closing stages.

Ikorodu City started the stronger of the two sides, pressing high and dominating possession in the early exchanges. They created several clear chances within the first ten minutes but were guilty of wastefulness in front of goal. Despite their sustained pressure, the first half ended goalless, with ISAGT hanging on through a mix of grit and defensive discipline.

The tempo remained intense after the break, with Ikorodu City continuing to press for a breakthrough. Their persistence paid off when Emmanuel Okeh coolly slotted home from inside the box to give them a deserved lead — a goal that sent their fans into wild celebration.

The final minutes were nerve-wracking for the champions as an Ikorodu player, wearing the number 23 jersey, received a second yellow card, reducing them to nine men. ISAGT threw everything forward in search of an equaliser, but Ikorodu City held firm with impressive defensive organisation until the referee’s final whistle.

With the victory, Ikorodu City FA completed the tournament unbeaten — a run that included a 4–1 penalty shootout win over Nath Boys FA in the semifinals. ISAGT had earlier sealed their place in the final with a confident 2–0 win against Dosu Joseph FC.

Earlier in the day, Dosu Joseph FC defeated Nath Boys FA 2–1 to clinch the 1xCup bronze medal and a ₦3 million prize. Nath Boys had taken the lead through a well-worked first-half goal, but Dosu Joseph FC mounted a brilliant comeback in the second half, equalising with a spectacular free kick before sealing victory with a composed finish minutes later.

Nath Boys, who impressed throughout the tournament with their attacking flair and penalty shootout heroics, couldn’t convert their chances this time, as Dosu Joseph FC held on for a deserved win.

Speaking at the prize presentation ceremony, the Tournament Organiser and former Super Eagles star, Waidi Akanni, expressed delight at the success and growing impact of the competition.

“The 1xCup tournament sponsored by 1xBet has truly lived up to its purpose,” Akanni said. “We’ve seen several players who featured here move on to bigger leagues, both locally and internationally. Each year, new and fresh teams emerge to reach the podium and win millions of naira. From the last eight to the final, none of the semifinalists this year were among those from last year — that’s progress. It shows more talent is coming through the grassroots.”

In the individual awards, Uche Emeribe claimed the Highest Goalscorer Award with five goals, earning ₦300,000. Abdullahi Suleiman was named Best Goalkeeper, while Adewale Quadri took home the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. Ikorodu City FA’s coach, Wellington Egor, was voted Best Coach of the Tournament. Each award winner received ₦300,000.

Ikorodu City FA were also named Team of the Tournament, while Dosu Joseph FC earned the distinction of Highlight Team of the 2025 Edition.

The 1xCup, organised by 1xBet, once again proved to be Nigeria’s premier grassroots football competition — a platform where raw talent, passion, and ambition converge to produce the next generation of football stars.