The New Experience Newspapers Online News Indepth, Analysis and More
*SIFAX Group Sponsors 10th Taiwo Afolabi U-17 Football Tournament*
By prince Benson Davies
The 10th edition of the Taiwo Afolabi U-17 Football Tournament is set to kick off in Lagos on February 14, 2026, with 56 grassroots football teams competing for honours. The tournament, organised by the Lagos State Grassroots Soccer Association (LSGSA) and sponsored by SIFAX Group, features 32 male teams and 24 female teams.
The competition is a proven platform for discovering and grooming young talents for professional football, with many participants moving on to national teams and professional clubs. Notable players discovered through the tournament include Samson Tijani, Soliu Afolabi, Chijioke Light, and Ebenezer Ojo, who have gone on to represent Nigeria and secure contracts with clubs in Europe and other international leagues.
The tournament will hold preliminary matches at the Ojo Oniyun Sports Centre and the Anthony Mini Stadium, with the grand finale scheduled for May 2, 2026, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena. Football stakeholders, scouts, and administrators are expected to attend the matches to identify emerging talents and provide guidance to participating players.
