The FCT chapters of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) headlined the fixtures of the 3rd edition of the NUJ FCT football tournament, which will be competed by 12 teams and scheduled to hold from Monday, 18th to Saturday, 23rd, 2025 at the Area 3 Football Pitch and Area 10 Football Field, Old Parade Ground in Abuja.
This was revealed after the official draws for the competition, which will be on a knockout basis, was conducted at the NUJ Council Utako on Tuesday.
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The Federal High Court (FHC), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Nigeria Police Force (NPF) will slug it out in Group A, while Group B has Nigeria Army, AIBEN, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and Nigeria Air Force (NAF).
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At the end of the first matches, two top teams from each group are expected to qualify for the semi-final stage, which will hold on Thursday, 21st August, while the third place and the final match will be played on Friday 22nd August, and Saturday, 23rd August, 2025.
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Speaking after the draws, the chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, urged all participating teams to go through and acquaint themselves with the rules of the tournament.
Ike said, “Every player and official must participate, bearing in mind that it has to be in the spirit of sportsmanship. The essence of the competition is also to strengthen the relationship between the union and its partners.”
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The Council Secretary, Comrade Jide Oyekunle, while citing one of the rules guiding the tournament, told participating teams to ensure that any allegation against the opponent or officiating official must come with proof of evidence.
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In his earlier remarks, the chairma, NUJ FCT Sports Week Organising Committee, Comrade Ndubueze Chidoka, commended AIBEN, and other partners for their support saying the tournament is to promote peaceful coexistence and consolidate friendship among the teams.
He said, “NUJ-FCT Council Football Tournament is not organised just for the fun of it, it is a call to duty, consolidating friendship and peaceful co-existence with other organisations.
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‎”For us, members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, this tournament is beyond winning a trophy- it will also enhance our physical and mental alertness as well as our wellbeing.”
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‎Fixtures
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‎Matchday 1 – Monday August 18
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‎Group Stage Matches (Knockout)
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‎FHC vs NPF – 10am
‎Army vs NAF – 11am
‎NCS vs FRSC – 12noon
‎AIBEN Vs NIS – 1pm
‎NDLEA vs NMA – 2pm
‎NUJ vs SWAN – 3pm
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‎Matchday 2 – Thursday August 21
‎Semi-final Stage
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‎A1 vs B2 – 10am
‎B1 vs A2 – 11 am
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‎Matchday 3 (Third Place) – Friday August 22
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‎Loser 7 vs Loser 8 – 10am
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‎Matchday 4 (Final) – Saturday August 23
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‎Novelty Match
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‎NAWOJ vs Ex-NUJ Chairmen – 10am
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‎Final
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‎Winner 8 vs Winner 7 – 11am
