Ibadan set for EIPFA schools football grand finale

Ibadan set for EIPFA schools football grand finale

The city of Ibadan is poised to host an exciting showcase of grassroots football talent as the grand finale of the Ex Ibadan Professional Footballers Association (EIPFA) statewide secondary school tournament takes place between April 9 and 10, 2026, at the iconic Lekan Salami Stadium.

The tournament, an initiative of the ex Ibadan Professional Footballers Association led by Temitope Obideyi, has drawn participation from 80 secondary schools across 10 zones in Oyo State. The zones include three from Ibadan, two from Ogbomoso, and one each from Ibarapa, Irepo, Saki, Kajola, and Oyo.

Since kicking off on February 25, 2026, the competition has served as a platform for identifying and nurturing young football talent at the grassroots level. A total of 1,440 students took part in the tournament, reflecting strong engagement and interest in youth football development across the state.

From this pool of players, 90 standout students have been shortlisted, with plans to further select the top 30 who will receive structured support in both their education and football careers.

Speaking on the vision behind the initiative, Obideyi emphasized that EIPFA was established to drive sports development in Oyo State, particularly by investing in young athletes and providing them with opportunities to excel.

The upcoming finale is expected to draw attention from scouts, sports enthusiasts, and stakeholders, as the tournament continues its mission of raising the next generation of football champions in Nigeria.