The most exciting phase of Nigeria’s premier amateur football tournament, the 1xCup 2025, is about to kick off — and all eyes are now on the group stage battles set to begin on August 12.

On Wednesday, the luxurious Radisson Blu Hotel in Lagos buzzed with excitement as the group stage draw and the tournament format presentation unfolded before a packed audience.

The event, hosted by 1xBet ambassador and Nigeria’s first female pidgin sports commentator Suo Chapele and Babajide Guerrero.

The event attracted football stakeholders from across the country — including coaches, club owners, fans, and an impressive lineup of top-tier Nigerian media outlets.

Speaking at the event, a member of the organising committee emphasised the core values of the tournament.

“Honesty, transparency, and fair play are the pillars of 1xCup 2025,” said.

The tournament is a celebration of football that extends beyond the pitch.”

One coach of a participating team added, “Last year’s draw was impressive, but this one surpassed all expectations. The attention was overwhelming — we’re fired up for the tournament!”

Now in its third edition, the 1xCup has grown rapidly in stature.

While last year saw over 160 entries, this year saw more than 450 teams expressing interest — a testament to its rising influence in grassroots football.

Group A houses Community Gunners FC, 36 LIONS FC, Collins Edwin FC, AFRICANO FC and NATH BOYS FA while in Group B EMALJUS FC, IKORODU CITY FA, G-INNOVATION FC, YOUNG STRIKERS FA and ECAS FA will bid to advance into the next round.

Group C will see EMILOJU FC, DOSU JOSEPH FA, UTILITY FC, SOCCER CARDINALS FA and lock horns ISGAT just as FC BETHEL SPORTING, INSPIRE SPORTS ACADEMY, DIVINE PRAISE FC, VINMO ENERGY FA and
BRIGHTON FC jostle for places in the next round

The Group Stage will hold from August 12 to  September 10 while the Wild Card Round is scheduled for September 16 and 17.

The quarter-finals is billed to hold on September 23 and 24 with the semi-finals slated for September 30

The final will hold on October 9 at a yet to be named venue.

1xBet, the organiser and sponsor of the 1xCup, reaffirmed its commitment to using the tournament not only to discover football talent but also to foster community development and unity.

For more details on fixtures, teams, and betting opportunities, visit the official website: 1xcup.ng.

As the saga goes on over the transfer saga of Nigeria international striker Ademola Lookman to Inter Milan from Atalanta, the issue has taken a whole new dimension according to reports in Italy.

The Nigerian has made it known that he wants to leave Atalanta for Inter Milan, but he hasn’t gotten his wish despite a bid of €40 million plus another €5 million in add ons. The bid was rejected by Atalanta who insist they have a pact with the Nigerian that he won’t join another team in Italy.

Lookman released a statement confirming that he has handed a transfer request, and since then he hasn’t shown up in training. For two days now he didn’t turn up for a personal training routine with the club’s coach.

Atalanta are now saying they have no knowledge of his whereabouts, and have alerted the authorities but recent reports say he has left the city of Bergamo owing to his disappointment in the management of Atalanta.

Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle saw the Nigerian team lost for the first time after a 0-1 defeat to Senegal in the opening game of the ongoing CHAN Championship, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Both teams didn’t look quite convincing in the early exchanges, and with no clear cut chance falling to either of the teams. The first half ended in a stalemate.

Nigeria resumed the second half the better side, but still find it hard to create anything meaningful making it very easy for the Senegalese side to contain them despite their high possession of the ball.

With 15 minutes left to play in the game, a defensive mixup involving Nigerian centre back duo of Junior Nduka and Leonard Ngenge was made worse with goalkeeper Mustapha Lawal came charging out of his line, but got no where near the through ball.

Christian Gomis ran onto the ball and rounded Lawal, before scoring what ended as the sole goal of the game, and also Chelle’s first defeat in six games since taking over as coach.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Spanish LaLiga side Real Betis are locked in talks with Leicester City for the signing of Nigeria international midfielder Wilfred Ndidi as a replacement for Johnny Cardoso, who is on the verge of sealing a summer switch to Besiktas.

Reports yesterday linked Ndidi with a Besiktas switch, but recent report indicate that he is more open to joining either Everton or Real Betis. The Spanish side have however taken the lead.

Leicester are holding out for a fee in excess of 10 million euros, a figure that has Betis hesitating at the negotiating table. Yet, amid the financial tug-of-war, Ndidi remains calm, carefully weighing his options. But he is tempted by the lure of a fresh challenge in La Liga where Betis is calling, and the 28-year-old is in no rush to make his final call.

The talks over his imminent transfer is largely why he wasn’t involved in their 2-0 win over Fiorentina in yesterday’s pre season game, as they step up preparations for the start of life in the English Championship following relegation last season.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

World football governing body FIFA has already informed South Africa that they committed a breach by fielding an ineligible player in a world cup qualifiers game, which is usually punished with a three points deduction.

South Africa fielded Teboho Mokoena in the 2-0 win over Lesotho, a game he was supposed to be suspended for after picking up two yellow cards in previous games of the qualifiers.

His ineligibility to play in the game was flagged by the Nigerian media and FIFA were duly notified despite the fact that no protest was lodged. A three points deduction is now likely to be hammered on them before the resumption of games in September.

Speaking exclusively to OwnGoalNigeria.com, a chieftain of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) say the South Africa Football Association (SAFA) have been served with a breach by FIFA, and they accepted a wrong doing which is usually accompanied with a three points deduction.

” Mowiz FIFA communicated to South Africa already on the fielding of an ineligible player in Mokoena, and they accepted the charge. We (Nigeria) are waiting for the final decision on point deduction which will be delivered before the next round of games”, he said.

Crucially Nigeria will move to within three points of the leaders giving them a glimmer of hope towards picking the sole ticket from the group, with a game away to South Africa shaping up to be the group’s decider.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Chelsea have agreed a deal for Lesley Ugochukwu to complete a permanent transfer to newly promoted English Premier League side Burnley, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Ugochukwu signed a seven year deal with Chelsea two seasons ago when he joined from French Ligue 1 side Rennes. He failed to break into the team leading to his loan lady season.

He spent the entirety of last season at Southampton making 31 appearances in all competitions, but still didn’t do enough to convince Chelsea that he deserve a spot in their team.

The France youth international has been granted permission to travel for medical tests ahead of signing a four-year contract. He played in just 15 games in all competitions for Chelsea and all came in his debut season at the club.

24 year old Ugochukwu is eligible to play for the senior national team of Nigeria, but has made it clear that he wants to pursue an international career with France rather than follow in the footsteps of his uncle Onyekachi Apam, who represented Nigeria at senior level.

Hot on the heels of the transfer of Victor Osimhen to Galatasaray, Nigeria international midfield duo of Wilfried Ndidi and Joe Aribo are closing in on a move away from England to Turkey, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Ndidi has agreed a deal to join Besiktas from relegated Leicester City for a fee in excess of £8 million, while Aribo is closing in on a deal to join Samsunspor from another relegated English side in Southampton.

While the deal for Ndidi is said to be advanced and he will be expected in Turkey in the next 48 hours, Aribo is yet to agree on certain terms on his wages and both clubs are also negotiating his transfer fee.

Southampton are open to the idea of letting the 29 year old leave but only on a permanent deal for a fee in excess of around £5 million. Aribo is also keen on joining the Turkish side who will be playing in the UEFA Europa league next season.

Both players were the starting midfield duo for Nigeria at the 2021 AFCON, where the team crashed out in the round of 16 following a 1-0 loss to Tunisia.

Daniel Martins

From August 2 to 30, football pitches in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda will be on fire. Nineteen of the strongest African teams will compete for the CHAN 2024 trophy. Fans will enjoy a spectacular dress rehearsal before the start of CAN 2025. Add some thrill to watching these matches – follow the link and bet on the key events with the highest odds.

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CHAN 2024 cheat sheet: What to know about tournament

The African Nations Championship is the second most important tournament among the continent’s national teams. Only footballers playing in domestic leagues are eligible to participate. Therefore, fans will not see star foreign players like Mo Salah, Victor Osimhen, or Achraf Hakimi, but young talents will get a chance to showcase their skills.

CHAN 2024 was initially scheduled for January 2025, but the organizers decided to postpone the tournament to August, giving participants more time to prepare. Unfortunately, Tunisia and Egypt will miss this year’s championship, as they have refused to participate, citing the overloaded calendars of their national squads and clubs.

CHAN 2024 will be held in 2 stages. In the first one, all participants are divided into four groups, three consisting of five teams and one of four. The two strongest squads from each group will advance to the playoffs and start the knockout stage from the quarterfinals.

Despite the competition’s status, CHAN has many fans in Africa and beyond. It has won the people’s hearts for its unpredictability and intrigue in every match. Take part in the 1xBet quiz about CHAN to show your expertise or just learn something new about your favorite tournament.

CHAN 2024 favourites

Senegal is the current champion and can repeat their success. The Lions of Teranga have the perfect mix of experience and youthful enthusiasm. Special mention should be made of midfield leader Moctar Koité, who played a key role in the national team’s triumph at CHAN 2022, and the young talent Baye Assane Ciss.

DR Congo has experience of big victories. The Leopards are one of the most titled squads in the tournament, having won the championship in 2009 and 2016. They have not missed a single CHAN edition and only failed to reach the final stage once. When it comes to DR Congo, you should watch out for the attacking all-rounder, Oscar Kabwit, and the midfield leaders, Sozé Zemanga and Joseph Bakasu.

In recent years, Morocco has become a symbol of developing football infrastructure and high-level training for young players, making this national team one of the main favorites. The Atlas Lions finished 4th at the World Cup in Qatar and earned bronze medals at the Summer Olympics in Paris. Morocco has a strong squad and the potential to compete for the trophy.

CHAN 2024 will light up summer off-season

The tournament will be a breath of fresh air for all football fans, especially with the exciting Trophy Hunt promo, where you can win tickets to enter the drawing for cool prizes:

To take part in the promo, bet at least 908.8 NGN on CHAN 2024 games or any other clashes under the auspices of CAF, choosing events with odds of 1.3 or higher. For each prediction in Live and pre-match mode that meets these conditions, the player will earn a ticket to enter the prize draw. Be active and boost your chances of winning!

Place bets via the link and join the race for top prizes. Play responsibly and enjoy spectacular CHAN 2024 on the best sports betting site 1xBet!

Head coach of Galatasaray Okan Buruk has picked Italian Serie A side Napoli as their dream fixture in the UEFA Champions League after the completion of the signing of Victor Osimhen, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Osimhen’s permanent deal to Galatasaray was made official yesterday after an agreement was found with Napoli for around €75m as transfer fee, including a ten percent further sale, and an agreement not to sell him to another Italian club for the next two years.

Last season, while on loan to Galatasaray he powered them to the league and cup title, earning them a spot in the UEFA Champions League. Napoli on the other hand lifted the Italian Serie A title and also booked a spot in the tournament.

Speaking on the team he will love to face, Buruk picked Napoli that Osimhen powered to the league title two years ago as his preferred opponent, a sentiment he feel is the same for the fans of the team after the long drama of signing him permanently.

“Galatasaray fans are currently thinking about Napoli. Their first request is Napoli”, the coach told the media in Turkey.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman