The Eko International Cup, a pre-season football tournament featuring top Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) teams, is reaching its climax. The competition, held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, Lagos, has seen intense clashes and surprising outcomes as teams prepare for the upcoming season and continental assignments. Group A features Rivers United, Ikorodu City, and Shooting Stars, while Group B comprises Remo Stars, 36 Lions, and Smart City. The tournament is crucial for teams to assess their strengths and weaknesses, integrate new players, and fine-tune their strategies before the commencement of the official season.
Rivers United, representing Nigeria in the CAF Champions League, started their campaign with a convincing 2-0 victory over Shooting Stars. Goals from Ubong Friday and Maclyn Biokpo sealed the win and placed Rivers United at the top of Group A with three points. Ubong Friday’s spectacular free-kick goal was a highlight of the match, drawing comparisons to the quality of set-pieces witnessed in the English Premier League. Despite the comfortable victory, Rivers United’s Technical Adviser, Finidi George, remained actively engaged throughout the game, constantly providing instructions to his players and assistants from the VIP box, highlighting the team’s serious approach to the pre-season tournament.
Ikorodu City, the host team, faces a must-win situation against Rivers United in their final group stage match. Their opening game against Shooting Stars ended in a 2-2 draw, placing them in a precarious position. Only a victory against Rivers United will secure their place in the final. The clash between these two teams promises to be a thrilling encounter as both sides battle for a spot in the prestigious final. The pressure is on Ikorodu City to perform in front of their home crowd and secure a victory, while Rivers United will be looking to maintain their winning momentum and secure their place in the final with a draw or another victory.
Rivers United’s Media Officer, Charles Mayuoku, emphasized the significance of the Eko International Cup in the team’s preparations for the upcoming season and their continental campaign. He stressed that the tournament serves as a season starter, particularly crucial for integrating new players into the squad and building team cohesion. The technical crew’s serious approach reflects the team’s ambition to perform well in both domestic and continental competitions. The experience gained against quality opposition in the tournament will be invaluable as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
In Group B, Remo Stars began their campaign on a positive note with a 2-1 victory over 36 Lions. Unfortunately for 36 Lions, this second loss eliminated them from the tournament. The final group stage match between Remo Stars and Smart City will determine the final standings in Group B. Remo Stars will aim to secure their place in the final with a victory or a draw, while Smart City will be striving for a win to improve their position in the group.
The Eko International Cup has been praised for attracting the participation of top NPFL teams, providing a competitive platform for them to prepare for the new season. Onome Obruthe, Executive Director of Publicity and Strategy for the Local Organising Committee, expressed pride in the tournament’s success in bringing together four top NPFL teams. The tournament serves as a valuable pre-season competition, allowing teams to test their strategies, assess player performance, and build team chemistry before the start of the official season. The high level of competition and the opportunity to play against quality opposition make the Eko International Cup a crucial part of the pre-season preparations for participating teams. The final match promises to be a captivating spectacle as the top two teams battle for the Eko International Cup title.
