1xCup: 12 teams advance as Emaljus FC, Dosu FC, others battle for wild card

The group stage of the 1xCup 2025, Nigeria’s biggest amateur football tournament, has officially concluded, with 12 teams now set to continue their quest for glory in the knockout rounds.

The final matchday last Tuesday delivered drama, goals, and a clearer picture of the road to the trophy.

Notably, none of last year’s top four teams won their groups, a sign of growing parity in the competition.

The first four teams heading directly to the quarter-finals are Nath Boys FA, Ikorodu City FA, ISAGT and Inspire Sport Academy.

The first game of the day saw Community Gunners FC come out firing as they thrashed Africano FC 4-0.

They will face Collins Edwin FC on September 16 in a Wild Card tie in a win-or-bust tie, having played out a 1-1 draw in Round 1.

In another fixture on Tuesday, Utility Boys will hope lightning strikes twice at the same spot when they face Dosu Joseph FC. They had defeated DJFC 3-0 in their previous group stage encounter.

Emaljus FC and Young Strikers FA bagged a wildcard after playing out a 1-1 draw as both teams were already out of contention for top spot in Group B.

Another group-stage rematch with high stakes beckons in the wild-card tie next Wednesday.

The defending champions FC Bethel Sporting held their ground as Vinmo Energy FC pushed for the win needed to top Group D.

Instead, it was Vinmo who had to fight back to secure a point — a 1-1 draw and a place in the Wild Card round.

Both teams are billed for another rematch in the knockout rounds next Wednesday.

With a N300,000 prize for the top scorer of the 1xCup 2025, Uche Emeribe of Vinmo Energy FC, who has netted five goals, more than half of his team’s total, leads the chart.

He’s also in the running for the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award.

Also in contention for the top scorer award are the duo Emmanuel Owoade (Inspire Sport Academy) and Kelvin Briggs (Bethel Sporting), both on four goals.

While Utility Sports’ John Ogbu and Olayinka Oladeji from Nath Boys FA are tied with three goals respectively.

READ ALSO FROM SPORTING TRIBUNE