Twenty-two football teams across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), among which are five debutants, will lock horns at the 5th edition of the All-Star International Invitationals Veterans Football Tournament which will kick off on Saturday, 14th June, 2025 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Speaking during the draws which was held at the Media Centre of the Stadium on Friday, the chairman, local organising committee (LOC), Coach Patrick Bassey, said this year’s edition is coming with a lot of difference as the competition which started with eight teams, in the maiden edition in 2021, will see veterans and ex internationals coming under one roof to compete and display spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie.
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“This year’s edition is coming with different glamour. All partipating teams will surely have interesting time as our veterans and former internationals take to the pitch to display their skills. We have made a lot of progress and this year, 22 teams will be vying for the trophy but only one winner will emerge. The tournament is strictly for those from 40 years and above.”
The President, All Stars FC, Abuja and former junior international, Nasir Jubril, said the tournament has become a platform for former players to interact and form an unbreakable bound that will last a lifetime.
Tribunesports report that the opening game will be between the host and three-time winners, Abuja All Stars and debutant, Nigeria National Petroleum Company FC. While the winners will smile home with a giant trophy and a cash prize of N2.5 million, the second and third placed teams will receive N1.5 and N1 million respectively.
The 22 teams were divided into five groups with the top three teams in each group qualifying automatically and the best loser move to the round of 16.
The chairman, Vera Gold FC, Mustapha Mubdiyu, whose team is making its first appearance in the competition, told Tribunesports, “We understand that everyone wants to win, but for us, it’s also about making new friends and networking in the game. We will approach the tournament with an open mind, give our best and learn from the experience.
According to the organisers, the competition’s brand ambassadors are the technical director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Austin Eguavoen and his former Super Eagles teammates, Samson Siasia and Mutiu Adepoju and Emmanuel Amunike.
10 games will be played every Saturday to be spread across three centres namely; the main bowl of Moshood Abiola National Stadium, training pitch A of the Stadium and the FIFA Goal Project pitch at the package B.
Group A: Nyanya All Stars, Apo Fitness Club, All Stars New Karu (debutant), Lugbe All Stars.
Group B: All Stars International Abuja, NNPC FC (debutant), Ocean 11 Football Club (debutant), Nurudeen Veterans Club
Group C: Corporate Kickers Sport Club, All Stars Gwagwalada, City Gate Sports Club, Unity Sports Foundation (USF)
Group D: Ex-Professional Football Club ( defending champions) Games Village FC, Capital Sporting Club, Capital City Club (CCC) , Vera Gold FC (debutant)
Group E: Likeminds FC, McSteve FC, Z Micheal FC, (debutants), Karu All Stars, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH)
