Fortune FA wins JOF U-13 Cup in exciting final in Lagos

Fortune Football Academy from Oshodi won the seventh JOF U-13 Cup on Sunday. They beat FC VI-Foot Football Academy 3-1 in a penalty shootout after a rainy final at the University of Lagos Sports Centre. The match ended goalless in regular time, but Fortune FA kept cool during penalties to claim the title. This competition is becoming more important in Lagos grassroots football. The champions took home ₦750,000, while the runners-up, VI-Foot, received ₦500,000. Earlier, Soccer City Football Academy won the third-place match against Ultimate Football Academy, finishing 1-0. Soccer City earned ₦350,000 and Ultimate FA got ₦250,000. The final took place in tough weather after heavy rain, but many fans, business people, government officials, and stakeholders stayed to watch the game.

Young talents shine

The tournament also highlighted some great individual performances. VI-Foot striker Okoroma Destiny was the top goalscorer. Fortune FA’s Odesola Odunayo was named Most Valuable Player. Fortune goalkeeper Alabi Faruk was awarded Best Goalkeeper after a series of great saves, especially in the penalty shootout. The tournament, now in its seventh year, has grown from a small youth event into one of Lagos’ key grassroots football competitions. It gives young players chances to compete in well-organized settings early in their careers.

Former Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo, has followed the competition since it began. He called the tournament’s growth encouraging. “It’s great to catch talent when they’re young,” he said. “It’s also good to encourage these young lads at under-13 level to have such a well-organised competition which showcases their skills and their endeavours.” He added that the competition has improved a lot since it started. “From the first edition at Campus Square to the seventh edition at UNILAG today, you can see a lot of improvement. You can see better organisation; you can even see more determination and more skills from all the teams, and it’s commendable.”

Mr Onigbanjo said early exposure is key to developing football talent. “If you look abroad, I think Messi went to Barcelona at about age 13. This is what such a tournament does. It exposes the very talented kids that we have in Nigeria.” He added that all players should see themselves as successful, no matter the final result. “They’re all deserving; they’re all winners. They’re all champions in their own right.” The former attorney-general praised the organisers for keeping the competition going. “Kudos must go to JOF. They’ve been doing this for seven years and are even doubling their efforts to ensure that these kids have a voice when it comes to exposing their talents. It’s also good that the media is here to showcase all this because without your support, nobody is going to ever see these children.” Despite the rain, Mr Onigbanjo said the determination shown by everyone involved was encouraging. “Even today’s rains couldn’t stop us.”

Investment in youth football

Chairman of JOF Nigeria Limited, Segun Olugboyegun, sees the tournament as a way to invest in Nigeria’s football future. “Our young athletes have the potential to become global champions in the future,” he said. “Through the U-13 JOF Cup, we are investing in their development by giving them a well-organised and structured platform where they can learn, compete, and enhance their skills.” He praised the players for their dedication during the competition. “I am thrilled that each player in this seventh edition showed enthusiasm, discipline, and the dreams of a future generation. They displayed incredible talent and tenacity, earning the respect of all attendees.” Mr Olugboyegun also thanked the coaches, parents, and football administrators who helped make the competition a success. “The U-13 JOF Cup Football Tournament is a legacy project that I passionately support. Our commitment to its ongoing success is steadfast.”

Growing importance of grassroots football

Youth football tournaments are important for developing players in Nigeria. Many former Nigerian internationals started in school competitions and grassroots football before going professional. But there are worries about fewer organised youth competitions that help find and develop talent. Because of this, tournaments like the JOF U-13 Cup are becoming more vital for giving young players a chance to play competitively and for coaches and scouts to spot new talent. The closing ceremony had many important guests, including JOF Nigeria Managing Director Heather Frankle, banking executives, government officials, and representatives from the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning. As Fortune FA celebrated their win, the tournament’s seventh edition showed once again the depth of grassroots football talent and the need for continued investment in youth development. For many players who took part at the University of Lagos Sports Centre, Sunday’s final was not just the end of a tournament but another step in their football journey.