Gidado FC Wins 2024/2025 ElephantRiA Cup

By Kazeem Akande

Friday at the Ashade Ogba Palace playing ground in the Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State, saw Gidado FC claim the top prize of N500,000, while Pepe FC received N300,000 as the runner-up.

 Gidado FC Wins 2024/2025 ElephantRiA Cup

The Ologba of Ogba, Oba Egbeyemi Oladimeji, noted that the Elephant Club sports activities had been uniting the youth in the community for the past 25 years.

1st Runner Up, Pepe FC

He expressed his gratitude to God for the success of the 2024/25 League and to the organisers of the tournament.

MVP, Samson Olo

He stated, “I appreciate and thank all the teams that participated in the league from the beginning, for their sportsmanship and fair play attitude during the matches.’’

The traditional ruler also praised the fans and spectators for their peaceful conduct and coexistence during and after the matches.

(M) Highest Goalscorer

A former Lagos State House of Assembly member, Yinka Ogundimu, commended the Elephant Club of Agege for their efforts in bringing together the youth through grass-roots football, which he said led to significant social and economic development in the community.

Best Goalkeeper 

The Chairman of the Football Committee of the Elephant Club of Agege, Felix Ajanaku, thanked God for the success of the 2024/25 League and acknowledged the fans and supporters for maintaining peace throughout the matches.

The Most Valuable Player of the tournament, Samuel Opeyemi, attributed his team’s success to God, saying “though, it is not easy, God saw us through.”

He also expressed his gratitude to the sponsors, supporters, and organisers of the game for providing the opportunity for his team to showcase their talents.

The tournament, which featured 14 teams, was a success, with the final match ending in a thrilling penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw in the normal 20-20 minute match.

Grassroots Football: How Kukushaw FC won Bet9ja Elephant Cup five-a-side grassroots soccer

Grassroots Football: How Kukushaw FC wins Bet9ja Elephant Cup five-a-side grassroots soccer

AgegePulse Magazine 

Kukushaw Football Club of Lagos State has won the 2023/24 Bet9ja Elephant Cup, a five-a-side grassroots soccer tournament.

The team defeated Omo Beta FC 4-0 in the final of the tournament held at the Ashade Ogba Palace Playing Ground, Agege community on Friday.

Kukushaw FC was rewarded with a cash prize of N500, 000 for winning the tourney while Omo Baba FC got N300,000 for coming second.

Twelve teams participated in the competition.

Speaking after the match, the Chairman Bet9ja Elephant Football Committee, Felix Ajanaku, thanked God for the success of the league.

Mr Ajanaku said that the competition had run for 26 years at the same venue and improved greatly since the first edition.

“I appreciate and thank all the teams that participated in the league from the beginning, for their sportsmanship and fair play attitude during the matches. The game went well and the players showed some level of maturity during the tournament. We also thank the supporters and the spectators for their peaceful conduct during and after the matches,” he said.

A former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Yinka Ogundimu, in his remarks said that the tournament has impacted the youth and Agege community.

According to him, many talented players have been picked from the grassroots football competition to play in higher leagues and in national teams.

A former International, Sylvester Igboun, was once a grassroots player at this playing ground in Ashade Palace, Agege. We implore the youth to take advantage of this opportunity and focus on their God-given skills and talents for a better future.

A veteran actress, Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett, said that more youths would benefit from the yearly tournament if organisations and well-meaning individuals support the initiative.

Ms Ajayi-Lycett also urged the media to give more coverage to grassroots sporting activities to showcase and discover many hidden talents across different communities.

Speaking, Oladele Alabi, who emerged Best Goalkeeper of the tournament thanked God for the success of his team, Kukushaw FC.

“Though it is not easy, God saw us through. We thank our sponsors, supporters and organisers of the game for giving us the opportunity to showcase our talents,” Mr Alabi said.