The two teams tried to cancel out each other before the regulation time but there was nothing to separate them until penalty was used to decide the maiden champions. Smart City proved to more precise in the penalty shootout winning by 5-4.

Earlier, 36 Lion narrowly lost the third place match to Ikorodu City via penalty shootouts too after both teams failed to score any goal during the regulation period.

Despite the heroics of 36 Lion goalkeeper, Samuel Oriola who saved two of Ikorodu City’s spot kicks to take the penalties to sudden death, the latter still triumphed 3-2 after NPFL La Liga U15 Promises graduate Sulaimon Lawal blasted the decisive spot kick beyond the Lions’ goalie’s gaping hands.

The exhibition match between Community Team and Family Team ended 1-1.

It was a fantastic and thrilling end to the first edition of the Jagaban Cup which drew out over 7000 Lagosians to the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.

The tournament was organised to galvanize support for All Progressives Congress Presidential Candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is the frontline candidate for the 2023 Presidential Election and the tournament has delivered on Its promises and even exceeded expectations.

The tournament was packaged by 36 Lion Investment, Diamond Sports Management and Lagos Enigma.

On a frenetic third and concluding day of the group stage of the Jagaban Cup 2022, Messiah FC punctured the aspirations of 36 Lion from qualifying for the final of the tournament and will now contest the grand finale and the race for the top prize against Smart City FC on Friday November 18th.

36 Lion and Smart City FC were in vantage position to nick the tickets to the final of the tournament earmarked to gather electoral support for the Presidential Candidate of All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2023 elections, after the conclusion of Day Two matches.

But while one went according to script at the end of the group games on Thursday, things changed for the second dramatically.

Before Thursday games, Jagaban Cup 2022 finalists, Messiah FC were in fourth position and were not among the teams expected to finish in the top two but they defeated De Potters FC and MFM by identical 2-1 to move to the top with nine points from four games.

Earlier, favourites, 36 Lion were forced to a goalless by Badagry United who played the spoilers’ role to record only their second point of the tournament. The draw proved to be suitable for the second spot after the Lions earned seven points from four games.

Relegated from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) last season, MFM fell short at the last moments too to pick a top-two spot in the tournament after they were surprisingly beaten by Messiah in a game a win would have taken them to top spot in Group A. They finished third with five points.

In Group B, Smart City ended in top spot with seven points despite losing their last group game to FC Bethel 1-0. They had better goals difference than Ikorodu City and FC Bethel who also finished with seven points each.

Ikorodu City shocked football purists to finish in the top two. They were bottom of the group on Day Two but chalked up two important wins on Thursday against FC Bethel and Olukismet FC by identical 1-0 each to move to the second spot. FC Bethel finished third.

The grand finale comes up on Friday between Messiah FC and Smart City FC. Before the final, 36 Lion and Ikorodu City will trade tackles to determine the third best team.

It’s the first edition of the tournament and will be hosted at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan.

In the draw conducted on Tuesday at Lagos SWAN Secretariat, Group A is made up of 36 Lion, Messiah FC, Badagry United, De Potters and MFM FC, while Group B houses Smart City, Olukismet, FC Bethel, Jo Sportyne and Ikorodu City.

36 Lion and Smart City will slug it out in the opening match at Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Tuesday. Kickoff is 7am.

Coordinator of Jagaban Cup, Mr Wale Joseph explained modalities on how the competition will become successful.

He appealed to clubs on the need to embrace fair play and the rules of the game.

Brain behind the tournament, Hajj Olawale Gafar Liameed explained the reason for the competition which is on a No Offside Basis.

“There is no other job as good as football and coaching. This is a scouting tournament that involves Belgium, Czech Republic, Norway and Finland. We will be having minimum of three Europeans for the scouting tournament,” he explained.

“It is called Jagaban Cup because Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is our father. He is the renewed hope. It’s time to do for him. That’s why we have the hashtag, let’s do for the doer. The competition will be an annual event. We will take the competition to the next level. We will host the tournament for a long time. It has come to stay. Asiwaju is a leader and he needs our support. In the name of Jagaban Cup, we are here to build future stars.”

“If you want to be a talent developer, you must be an identifier. A good talent doesn’t need too many minutes to be recognized. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the best talent developer. This tournament has come to stay. Thanks for coming, God will give you the strength to identify the best talents. The scouts are decision makers. If a player is good, he will be recommended. We will also have few scouts who represent the NPFL. Our league needs the best on the domestic font. Some players would be selected to beef up the best teams in Nigeria also.

“The best referees would officiate games, so expect fairness. The scouts are the decision makers. Total package is coming to the clubs. The budget for this project is #20m. Already we have spent over #25m. It’s like climbing the Mountain to feed our players. The more reason we broke the bank to fund this project. This is the first time that we are organizing a Scouting Tournament where clubs didn’t pay a dime. FIFA frowns at third party ownership. If a player is selected, we would allow you deal directly with the scout. That’s what we call Total Package. We see Football as Palace and Sky where every bird flies. Every club will deal with scouts directly, we would be there to serve as Supervisors. We won’t collect a dime from your cut. We want the best players to be selected,” he added.

Jagaban Cup is proudly supported by 36 Lion Investment, Diamond Sports Management and The Enigma.

The Full Draws

Group A

36 Lion
Messiah FC
Badagry United
De Potters
MFM FC

Group B
Smart City
Olukismet
FC Bethel
Jo Sportyne
Ikorodu City