The finals of the 2025 edition of the Victor Ikpeba Football Challenge will be played Thursday, June 12, which is the soccer star’s birthday.
The plan to move the game which honors the former Super Eagles and Monaco striker to Saturday, the 14th, was dropped as the first four editions were held June 12.
THISDAY reports that the fight for a spot in the final match will be settled with eight teams set for the quarterfinal matches. Defending champions Gantos will take on seven other ambitious teams for a place at the next level.
This football competition is held annually to commemorate the birthday of the former African Footballer of the Year, Victor Ikpeba.
The kick-off of the competition took place on 31st May at the Obele Odan Community Centre, Fujah Street, Surulere, Lagos.
This 2025 edition is special as it is being held in honour of late Dapo Sotuminu, who served as the director and coordinator of the competition for the first edition five years ago. The journalist was also the CDA chairman.
Ikpeba, a former attacker and now a global football ambassador, said on Tuesday in Lagos, “I thank God that we have been able to sort out the final schedule so quickly. My other prayer is that the local government and the representatives of the area will repair this community ground permanently going forward or we have to find another community that can host the event.”
Bet9ja Foundation has taken up a partnership with the event.
“Bet9ja Foundation is unique in its collaboration with Nigerian communities. They are in every part of the country supporting events and programmes that touch the lives of the people directly, and this is very commendable,” Ikpeba said. There will be prize money and medals for the first to fourth positions
