Pre-season tourney: Lobi, MFM, Rivers Utd, Kwara Utd for Gold Cup

The organizers of the annual Gold Cup Pre-Season Tournament have invited teams from Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL) and Nationwide League One (NLO) for the fifth edition of the prestigious football event scheduled to hold from November 15 to 24 at the Kwara Sports Complex, Ilorin.

Lobi Stars Football Club emerged winners of the last edition after beating Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM FC) 5-4 on penalties in the final in Ijebu-Ode after full time ended goalless.

According to the General Coordinator of the tournament, Tunde Shamsudeen, the fifth edition promises to be bigger and more competitive with invitation extended to Rivers United Football Club.

The invited teams for the prestigious pre-season tournament are the defending champions, Lobi Stars, Remo Stars, MFM FC, Crown FC, Kastina United, Kwara United, Niger Tornadoes FC, FC Ebedei, Rivers United, and ABS FC.

Shamsudeen revealed the plans, strategy and prizes to be won at the end of the competition in an interview session with the media team of the pre-season event.

“We’ve sent invitation letter to clubs, and we’re doing everything to ensure we make the tournament more glamorous with a cash prize for the winner, runners up, a giant gold trophy, silver trophy and gold and silver medals. The last edition was a huge success for us and all the participated teams.”

“The media coverage and the support from the media was massive hence, we like to appreciate everyone who supported the project as we look forward to another remarkable pre-season event.”

He noted that the teams are expected to play 4 group matches with the first two teams with highest number of points qualifying for the semi-finals.

“The tournament will be of high level and is basically to ignite the spirit of the game and to also help the teams test their players before the league season proper,” Shamsudeen said.

The pre-season tournament is sponsored by distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic, Dr. Abdulfatai Buhari, Nigeria Football Federation Executive Committee Member, Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, alongside foremost betting company, Bet9ja, Nigeria leading sportswear firm, ‘Cone’, Naija League Magazine, Tribeca Code, Phoenix ASC, and Matchroom.