Tonic FC won the fourth edition of the 1xCup on Saturday, October 31, defeating Young Strikers FC on penalties after a goalless final at the Inspire Sport Arena in Lagos.
Goalkeeper Femi Adegboyega saved two spot-kicks as the Ikorodu-based debutants converted all four of their penalties to claim the trophy and N10m prize money.
Abdulahi Jamiu converted the decisive fourth kick to seal the victory for Oladipupo Abiola’s side, while runners-up Young Strikers received N5m.
JP Young Stars FC finished third, beating Collins Edwin SC 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw to secure the bronze medals and N3m.
The final capped an unlikely title run for Tonic, who needed penalty shoot-outs to overcome Agbede Supreme FC and Vino Gano in the qualifiers before drawing all three of their group-stage matches.
They found their form in the knockout rounds, recording successive 2-1 victories over 36 Lion FC, Joy Cometh FC and JP Young Stars to reach the final.
Young Strikers, by contrast, entered the decider with an impressive attacking record, having scored 21 goals in eight matches. Seventeen-year-old forward Lawal Muiz accounted for six of those goals.
However, neither side could break the deadlock in a cautious final. Young Strikers created more chances but failed to convert them, leaving the title to be decided from the spot.
Adegboyega then emerged as Tonic’s hero, making two saves before Jamiu’s decisive kick completed the debutants’ triumph.
In the third-place match, JP Young Stars took the lead in the opening minute and doubled their advantage in the 34th minute.
Collins Edwin fought back with two goals to force a shoot-out but could not complete the turnaround, as JP Young Stars prevailed from the spot.
Former Super Eagles and Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo and the Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, were among the guests at the tournament’s deciding matches.
Speaking after the final, Ighalo praised organisers 1xBet Nigeria for supporting grassroots football and providing a platform for emerging players.
“We need tournaments like this to spot good players and find the next Victor Osimhen,” he said.
According to the organisers, the competition featured 100 clubs from the five divisions of Lagos over just over three months, with a total prize fund of N20m.
The organisers also said more than 30 players from previous editions had progressed to professional football.
A spokesperson for 1xCup said Tonic’s success reflected the competition’s aim of creating opportunities for young footballers.
“This season has brought us some incredible moments! We’ve seen thrilling matches, fierce battles, and teams that never gave up, even in the toughest situations. The story of Tonic FC is the best proof,” the spokesperson said.
“But the most important thing for us is not who lifted the trophy, but the fact that, thanks to 1xCup, talented young players get a chance to make a name for themselves and take their first step towards a professional career. It’s for stories like these that we organize this competition.”
The tournament’s individual award winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on November 6, with honours including the Most Valuable Player, top scorer and best goalkeeper.
