The organizers of the Oba of Benin U-18 men’s football tournament have announced December 10, 2024, as the kick-off date for the second edition.
The tournament sponsored by Michael “Obatan” Ogbebor, in the honour of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, had its draw conducted Saturday afternoon at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Media Centre with 19 teams paired against each other.
The sponsor speaking from his base in New York said thanked the media, the coaches and other stakeholders for their show of support for the was represented by his wife, Mrs. Vera Ogbebor, at the draw.
“Without the coaches, there’s no FA and without the FA, there won’t be coaches. I plead to the players to be calm because this tournament is going to be fair on everyone”
Obatan added that the winners and the runners-up of the 2025 edition stand the chance of getting tickets to Denmark and Sweden on a tour, to further expose them to western football and motivate them for better performances.
The wife of the sponsor, Mrs. Vera Ogbebor, in her short speech, encouraged all teams to give their best in the tournament and make it memorable. “Let’s play with our hearts and be sincere so that we can further encourage the sponsor to add more to what he’s presently doing”.
The tournament will see thirteen teams on bye with six teams starting from the first round where three will meet up with rye sixteen on bye, for the round of sixteen stage.
According to the draws conducted by the Edo FA Vice Chairman, Mr. Paul Ojeisekhoba, the teams who are drawn bye include Efe Urhocity FC, Irex Sports FC, Supreme FC, Dynamo Academica, City Rovers FC and Angels FC.
Others are Favour FC, Daddy Bazuaye FC, Rockers FC, Delight FC, Bendel Insurance Feeders, London FC and Edo Dynamo Sports.
United FC will play BJ FC, Worshippers FC will contend with St Andrews FC, Shooting Arrows FC and Unique FC will complete the playoffs for a place in the last sixteen.
All matches will take place at the Crescent Sports Club stadium with the final that is expected to be graced by high-profile Benin chiefs and stakeholders will take place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
The tournament is named after the Oba of Benin to honour the monarch, a first-class Oba in Nigeria with a rich cultural history of the land. The former defender, in his playing days, also hosted the tournament as a way of giving back to the society and sports that gave him fame.
The winners will go home with ₦1,500,000; the runners-up will be rewarded with ₦750,000, and the second runners-up with ₦500,000, alongside other individuals, Awards lined up for players and coaches with impressive performances.
Michael Ogbebor, in his youth days, played for Best Stars FC under coach Joseph Isokpehi before he was loaned to Ugbowo Bombers, where he moved abroad. “The Boy is Good”, as he was regarded in his playing days, also played for other clubs outside the state.