Sixteen teams are set to battle for the ultimate prize when the second edition of the Spires 5-Aside Naija Street Soccer Tournament takes centre stage in Lagos this October.  

At a colourful draw ceremony and media parley held in Lagos on Thursday, the 16 qualified teams from the divisional tournament were drawn into four groups at the event held at Ijewere Hall, CIBN building, Victoria Island. 

The teams in Group A include; Alaodus FC, Peckins FC, New Generation Football Club, and All Saints FC. Greater Tomorrow FA, Emaljus FC, Young Strikers Football Club,  and White Tigers are all pitted in Group B. 

The teams in Group C comprise; Evagrin FC, Blood and Sand football club, Chekas United, as well as Orion and Leon FC. While Group D hosts Soccer Gems FA, Net Breakers FC,  Wasola football club, and Papa SA. 

The state championship will get on the way on Sunday, October 26th, at the Stables Sports Centre, Bode Thomas Surulere Lagos.  

The convener of the event, Dr. Bankole Alibay, who joined the event virtually from the United States, said they have introduced a tech seminar as part of the list of activities lined up to empower the players with modern skills outside their football career.

In his words: ” We are looking beyond football for the players, hence we have introduced a tech week that will hold within the tournament window were the players can learn mordern skills like artificial intelligence, machine learning, coding and lot more”.

Alibay further assures stakeholders of an improved tournament compared with the maiden edition in 2024. 

” We have raised the standard in terms of organization, we have professional scouts coming from Europe to watch the games live and this will create the much needed opportunity for the players to be spotted by clubs outside the country.” So, there’s a lot to look forward to this time across the board.” Dr. Bankole concluded.

The ceremony also attracted several dignitaries in the football fraternity like the Vice- chairman of the Lagos State Football Association. Mr. Dotun Coker, one-time chairman of the Edo State Football Association Hon. Frank Ilaboya,  Chairman of the Lagos Islands Divisional Football Association, Mr. Bakare Olalekan, representatives of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) and other football stakeholders in Lagos. 

The 16 teams, which include the players, coaches, and the club owners, were all present at the draw ceremony.