All is set for the second edition of Gold Cup Pre-Season Tournament, as participating clubs have confirmed their attendance in what look like another pre-season thriller for fans of the game in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
The defending champion, Sunshine Stars International Football Club of Akure, will engage seven other clubs in Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL) and Nigeria Nation-wide League (NNWL) in a nine-day soccer fiesta.
The championship, which would take place at Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, from January 29 to February 6, will feature Sunshine Stars, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, Sharks FC of Port Harcourt, Prime FC of Oshogbo, Kogi United FC of Lokoja, First Bank FC of Lagos, FC Ebedei and Rising Stars FC of Ondo.
According to the general coordinator of the tournament, Tunde Shamsudeen, grouping of the eight teams have been made as thus: Group A – FC Ebedei, Sunshine Stars, Kogi United and First Bank; while Group B drawn Shooting Stars, Prime FC, Rising Stars and Sharks FC.
He noted that the teams are expected to play three group matches, with the first two teams with highest number of points qualify for the semi-finals.
“The tournament will be of high level and is basically to ignite the spirit of the game and to also help the teams test their players before the league season proper,” Shamsudeen said.