No fewer than 56 grassroots football teams will battle for honours in the 10th edition of the Taiwo Afolabi U-17 Football Tournament, scheduled to kick off on Saturday, February 14, 2026, in Lagos.
The annual competition, organised by the Lagos State Grassroots Soccer Association (LSGSA) and sponsored by SIFAX Group, is held in honour of Dr Taiwo Afolabi, Chairman of SIFAX Group.
This year’s edition will feature 32 male teams and 24 female teams, making it one of the largest youth football tournaments on Lagos State’s grassroots calendar.
Preliminary matches will be played at the Ojo Oniyun Sports Centre, Ebute Metta, and the Anthony Mini Stadium, Gbagada, while the grand finale is slated for May 2, 2026, at the iconic Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, Lagos.
Speaking at a press conference to announce the tournament, LSGSA Assistant Secretary, Afuka Abu, described the competition as a proven platform for identifying and grooming young footballers for professional careers.
“This tournament has consistently provided young players with the structure, exposure and discipline they need to progress to higher levels of the game. Many of our participants have moved on to national teams and professional clubs, and that remains our goal — to give every talented child a genuine opportunity,” Abu said.
Over the past decade, the Taiwo Afolabi Cup has produced several standout players who have represented Nigeria and secured contracts with clubs abroad.
Among them is Samson Tijani, former Golden Eaglets captain discovered at the 2019 edition, who currently plays for Dukla Prague in the Czech Republic.
Others include Soliu Afolabi, a former Flying Eagles player now with Slovan Liberec; Chijioke Light, who represented Nigeria at the WAFU Championship and the Africa Women Cup of Nations; and Ebenezer Ojo, discovered in 2022 and currently playing in Norway.
SIFAX Group has sponsored the competition for a decade as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility commitment to youth empowerment and sports development.
Oliver Omajuwa, Deputy Director, Strategy and Operations at SIFAX Group, said the company’s involvement reflects a long-term investment in community growth.
“Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not,” he said. “This tournament was conceived not just as a competition, but as a platform for discovery, development and hope. For us, Corporate Social Responsibility is a long-term responsibility, not a one-time gesture.”
Football stakeholders, scouts, former internationals and administrators are expected to attend matches throughout the competition to identify emerging talents and provide mentorship.
As the tournament marks its 10th anniversary, organisers say the milestone edition will not only celebrate a decade of impact but also raise the bar for grassroots football development in Lagos.
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