The build-up to the second edition of the prestigious Lagos Ex Internationals Cup officially gathered momentum as members of the Lagos State Football Association committee, led by chairman Hajji Gafar Liameed, paid a high-level courtesy visit to Honourable Kunle Soname at his office.
The visit was not just ceremonial. It was symbolic, deliberate, and filled with meaning for the future of grassroots and veteran football in Lagos State. At the heart of the meeting was the formal presentation of the beautifully designed giant Lagos Ex Internationals Cup trophy, a statement of ambition, prestige, and continuity for a competition that has quickly earned respect within Nigeria’s football ecosystem.
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Hon. Kunle Soname Lauded as a Pillar of Nigerian Football
While presenting the trophy, LSFA chairman Hajji Gafar Liameed described Honourable Kunle Soname as a blessing to Nigerian football. He praised Soname’s consistent interventions through the Bet9ja Foundation, particularly in addressing youth restiveness, reducing social vices, and creating pathways for young people to build meaningful careers through sports.
According to Liameed, initiatives such as the Lagos Ex-Internationals Cup reflect the type of innovative thinking needed to reconnect past football heroes with the present generation, while preserving the heritage of the game in Lagos.
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Bet9ja Foundation Aligns With Vision of Ex-Internationals Cup
In his response, Honourable Kunle Soname expressed appreciation to the Lagos FA for the visit and acknowledged that the Lagos Ex-Internationals Cup aligns perfectly with the mission and vision of the Bet9ja Foundation.
Soname emphasized that the foundation remains committed to community development and the welfare of former national team players, many of whom laid the foundation for Nigeria’s football success but often lack structured platforms to remain actively engaged with the game after retirement.
Demonstrating strong commitment, Soname formally accepted the proposal for the second edition of the tournament and immediately assigned a director from the Bet9ja Foundation to work closely with the Lagos FA. The collaboration will begin with a working visit to fine-tune planning, logistics, and agree on an official kickoff timeline.
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Strengthening Corporate Partnerships for Football Development
The meeting further reinforced the Lagos FA’s commitment to building strategic corporate partnerships that enhance football development across Lagos State. Beyond competition, the Ex-Internationals Cup is increasingly being positioned as a legacy project that blends mentorship, community engagement, entertainment, and football heritage.
For observers of Lagos football, this collaboration signals a growing recognition of the value ex-internationals bring to grassroots development and the broader football culture.
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What Makes the Lagos Ex-Internationals Cup Unique
The Lagos Ex Internationals Cup is a special tournament where former Nigerian national team players adopt teams that compete in the championship. This format creates emotional investment, healthy rivalry, and renewed visibility for football legends whose names once defined eras of Nigerian football.
The inaugural edition was won by Team Nwosu, adopted by legendary winger Henry Nwosu. His team’s triumph set a high standard and established the competition as more than just a novelty event.
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Anticipation Builds Ahead of Second Edition
As the countdown to the second edition begins, excitement and speculation dominate football conversations in Lagos.
Which ex-internationals will be enlisted to adopt teams this time? Will the competition expand to include women ex-internationals, potentially giving rise to teams named after icons such as Florence Omagbemi, Ann Chiejine, Precious Dede, Kikelomo Ajayi, Mercy Akide, Stella Mbachu, and Ayisat Yusuf?
And perhaps the biggest question of all. Can Henry Nwosu defend his title, or will other legends like Waheed Akanni, Wasiu Ipaiye, Victor Ikpeba, Dosu Joseph, or Nduka Ugbade take over the crown?
One thing is certain. With strong institutional backing, renewed corporate partnership, and growing public interest, the Lagos Ex-Internationals Cup is fast becoming one of the most meaningful football events on the Lagos calendar.
