JOF Plans First Eleven Team, As 4th U-13 Tourney Ends Amid Pomp In Lagos

Managing Director, JOF Nigeria Limited Chief Olusegun Olugboyegun (right) joined by Honourable Moyosore Onigbajo, former Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice (left) to present the winners’ trophy to Wasbak Babes Captain

Basking in the euphoria of the successful organisation of each edition of JOF U-13 Football Tournament since inception, Managing Director of JOF Nigeria Limited, Chief Olusegun Olugboyegun, has revealed the plan of the sponsor company to raise a first 11th team from the teams that participated in the 2023 tourney.

The 4th edition ended on Sunday at the Campos mini Stadium, Lagos Island with an elaborate final ceremony attended by important dignitaries from the private and public sectors of Nigerian society.

The final match was a display of soccer artistry from the young lads who fought their ways to the finals. Watched by a mammoth crowd, Wasbak Babes defeated Zamadek 1-0 to emerge as champions, while Ojo Babes also humbled Qudus Babes 2-0 to win a third-place match.

Chief Olugboyegun was among the dignitaries at the VIP stands and was so impressed with the tenacity in the kids. He commended the standard of play in the competition and revealed that a first 11th team would be raised among the players who took part in the tournament this year.

According to Olugboyegun, who himself played in the U-13 competition in Ondo State back in the days, the first 11th team would be assembled by the organisers from where they would be groomed to play in series of regional and national tournaments representing Lagos State.

The MD reiterated the commitment of JOF Nigeria Limited to continue the sponsorship of the grassroots talent-discovery competition, adding that “this tournament has come to stay as we would not shy away from our responsibility to these kids. Our believe is that they are the future stars of this country. I am so impressed with the standard of play and what these kids displayed on the pitch. That is the reason we would look into picking the first 11th team that will carry the name of the tournament,” he said.

“It’s equally important I state that JOF being a sports friendly company will continue to sponsor this tournament because it’s by developing football at the grassroots, that we can discover players in the mode of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and more Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo and Victor Osimhen for the country,” he said.

Winners of the tournament went home with N500,000 and a giant trophy while the runners-up got N400,000 with the third and fourth best teams getting N300,000 and N200,000 respectively.

Mr Dayo Olugboyegun, an Executive Director at JOF Nigerian Limited presents the second position prize to Zamadek Babes

Eke Gabriel of Wasbak FC won the Highest goal scorers award with the Most Valuable player award going to Ibrahim Yusuf of Zamadek just as Ademola Afolayan emerged as the best keeper of the tournament.

The finals attracted some ex- internationals such as Waidi Akani, Wasiu Ipaye and Friday Elaho with a couple of brands namely; First bank Plc, Zenith bank Plc, Custodian Insurance, Milo, Maltina, Lacasera, Gala and Indomie Noodles among others adding glamour to the finals.