Media officer of the 3rd Awo Youth Cup at Ogijo near Ikorodu, Ralph Esene has promised that this year’s edition of the community development football competition will produce better players for Nigeria’s under-17 national team, Golden Eaglets.
Esene disclosed this in an exclusive chat with Sports247, during which he added that the competition, which was rested after its first two editions in 2018 and 2019, is back on a wider scale and with more categories, starting next week at the border town between Lagos and Ogun States.
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Esene, who is also the media and communications director of Awo Football Academy, added that new talents of Nigerian football are sure to emerge from the competition’s three categories – under-13, under-17 and free age.
He further stated, “The competition is sponsored by Emmanuel Olakunle Awosanmi (aka Choco Choco). Like many young lads who you find on the streets of Nigeria, he had a dream of playing the beautiful game of football to the highest level.
“At a very young age, that dream took him to Europe, Belgium to be precise. In the year 2018, he decided to breathe life into the beautiful game in his own little way. That breath of life gave birth to a grassroots football tournament called Awo Cup.”
The media director then gave details of the aims and objectives of the revived competition, which he promised will be a landmark from the opening match this Saturday, November 22nd up till the final scheduled to hold on December 14th at Ogoji Community School.
“The tournament is aimed beyond just bringing kids of under-13, under-15, under-17 and free age together. We also are looking far beyond just providing them with a platform to display their footballing talents.
“We want to also use it as a way to promote football development, enhance sportsmanship and build friendships among young players.
“Like many geeat stars of yesterday, who were spotted in grassroots tournaments, we hope that this year’s edition of Awo Cup will give birth to hidden gems, who will go on to becone shinning stars tomorrow,” Esene enthused.
AWO CUP FIXTURES
DATE: SATURDAY 22 NOV 2025
UNDER-13 GROUP A; TIME 10AM
ORIYOMI VS REHOBOTH
GROUP B; TIME 11AM
GOLDEN JUBILEE VS MIGHT BLASTER
GROUP C; TIME 12PM
INVISIBLE UNITED VS OSA
DATE SUNDAY 23RD NOV 2025; TIME 12PM
GROUP A
GRACE VS NERO
GROUP B; TIME 12:50PM
DOLLAR VS SUNSHINE
GROUP C; TIME 1:50PM
BETTER TOMORROW VS BUQUESON
