Tonic FC win 1XCup 2026 on penalties, carry ₦10m prize
- Tonic FC from Ikorodu beat Young Strikers 4-2 on penalties after 0-0 final for Oshodi, Lagos.
- Na the debutants collect the ₦10m winner prize; Young Strikers get ₦5m as runners-up.
- Odion Ighalo watch the final and beg government to support grassroots football.
Tonic FC from Ikorodu na dem be champions of 1XCup 2026, after dem beat Young Strikers from Lagos Island 4-2 on penalties for Saturday final at Inspire Sports Arena, Cappa, Oshodi, Lagos.
The match end 0-0 after normal time and added time, so na from penalty spot dem settle the trophy and the ₦10 million winner prize. Tonic goalkeeper save two of Young Strikers kicks, according to ThisDay.
Na careful final between two sides wey defend well all tournament. ThisDay report say the Islanders create more chances but poor finishing spoil their chance, and e cost dem the top prize. Young Strikers carry ₦5 million as runners-up.
How dem reach final
Tonic, wey dey play the competition for first time, beat Joy Cometh FC 2-1 for quarter-final and JP Young Stars by same score for semi-final. Young Strikers show their attacking power with 4-1 win over Emiloju FC for quarters but dem no fit repeat that form for final.
For third-place match, JP Young Stars beat Collins Edwin SC 4-2 on penalties after 2-2 draw, and dem collect the ₦3 million bronze prize. Collins Edwin fight back from two goals down to level the game.
Former Super Eagles and Manchester United forward Odion Ighalo dey among the spectators. He praise the organisers for supporting grassroots football and talk say such tournaments dey help to find the next generation of Nigerian stars.
"We need tournaments like this to identify good players and discover the next Victor Osimhen," Ighalo talk, according to ThisDay.
He also ask government at all levels to support football and other sports through regular competitions, community teams and better facilities.
Others wey dey the final include Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; Anthony Zulu Adeboye, Senior Special Assistant on Grassroots Sports to President Bola Tinubu; Lagos State Sports Commission Director-General Lekan Fatodu; Chief Yemi Idowu of Maracana, Lagos; and Lagos FA chairman Liameed Gaffar.
Wetin go happen next
For the players, the prize money and the scouts wey dey the stands matter pass the trophy. Grassroots tournaments like this na one of the few ways for young Nigerians wey hope say bigger clubs go see dem, and Ighalo call put pressure on sports authorities to fund more of them.
