Organised by the Lagos State Grassroots Soccer Association (LSGSA) and sponsored by SIFAX Group, the annual competition has grown into one of the largest and most influential youth football tournaments on the state’s grassroots calendar. This year’s edition features 32 male teams and 24 female teams, underscoring its expanding inclusivity and reach.
Held in honour of Dr Taiwo Afolabi, Chairman of SIFAX Group, the tournament has become a significant platform for talent discovery and structured youth development. Preliminary matches are scheduled to take place at the Ojo Oniyun Sports Centre in Ebute Metta and the Anthony Mini Stadium in Gbagada, with the grand finale slated for May 2, 2026, at the iconic Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan.
At a press briefing to herald the competition, Afuka Abu, Assistant Secretary of LSGSA, described the tournament as a tested and reliable pathway for young footballers aspiring to reach professional levels.
According to him, the competition has consistently provided participants with the structure, exposure and discipline required to transition to elite football. He noted that several former participants have progressed to represent Nigeria at various levels and secured contracts with professional clubs, adding that the primary objective remains creating genuine opportunities for talented youngsters.
SIFAX Group’s decade-long sponsorship of the tournament forms part of its broader Corporate Social Responsibility drive, focused on youth empowerment, sports development and community advancement. Oliver Omajuwa, Deputy Director of Strategy and Operations at the company, explained that the initiative aligns with the organisation’s philosophy of creating enduring value beyond commercial interests.
He emphasised that while talent is widespread, access to opportunity is often limited, stressing that the tournament was conceived not merely as a competition but as a vehicle for discovery, growth and hope. For the company, he added, corporate responsibility is a sustained commitment rather than a one-off intervention.
Over the years, the Taiwo Afolabi Cup has produced several standout players who have gone on to represent Nigeria and build professional careers abroad. Among them is Samson Tijani, a former Golden Eaglets captain discovered at the 2019 edition, now playing for Dukla Prague in the Czech Republic. Others include Soliu Afolabi, who featured for the Flying Eagles and plays for Slovan Liberec; Chijioke Light, who represented Nigeria at the WAFU Championship and the Africa Women Cup of Nations; and Ebenezer Ojo of Greater Tomorrow Academy, discovered in 2022 and currently plying his trade in the Norwegian league.
Football stakeholders, talent scouts, former internationals and administrators are expected to attend matches throughout the competition, offering mentorship and identifying emerging prospects.
As it marks a decade of sustained impact, the 10th anniversary edition is widely regarded as more than a celebration. It represents a renewed commitment to strengthening grassroots football structures in Lagos and expanding opportunities for the next generation of Nigerian football stars.
The Lagos State Grassroots Soccer Association remains a non-profit body dedicated to discovering and nurturing young talents through structured competitions and community-based initiatives, while SIFAX Group continues to operate as a diversified conglomerate with interests spanning maritime and logistics, aviation ground handling, oil and gas, and hospitality, alongside a strong emphasis on sustainable community development.