Young Strikers, Tonic reach 1XCup final in Lagos

Young Strikers FC of Lagos Island and Tonic FC of Ikorodu will meet in the final of the 2026 1XCup grassroots football tournament on Saturday, October 31, at the Inspire Sports Arena, Cappa Oshodi, Lagos. Kick-off is 11 am.

Both teams booked their places with wins in Tuesday's semi-finals at the same venue.

Young Strikers beat Collins Edwin SC 1-0 in the opening match. Alex Nkwocha scored in the third minute, set up by Lawal Muiz, and the Lagos Island side held on despite Collins Edwin being seen as the favourites going into the game.

In the second semi-final, Tonic FC defeated JP Young Stars FC 2-1. Hassan Olamilekan put Tonic ahead in the 32nd minute and then set up Olayiwole Mathew for the second goal in the 69th minute.

Yayah Wasiu pulled one back for Young Stars in the 73rd minute from a Henry Ijezie pass, but Tonic held on to reach the final.

What happens next

Before the final, Collins Edwin SC and JP Young Stars FC will play for third place. The tournament's chief organiser, Engr Waidi Akanni, a former Lagos FA chairman, said the losing semi-finalists will battle for the third-place title.

Akanni told ThisDay that former Nigeria and Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo is expected at the final, along with Lagos State Sports Commission Director General Lekan Fatodu and Chief Anthony Adeboye, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports.

Others listed include sports entrepreneur Yemi Idowu, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun Sanni, Mr Vinod Obasa, the Consular General of the Brazil embassy and Lagos State Commissioner of Police Tijani Fatai.

The 1XCup is sponsored by betting company 1xBet and was first held in 2023. This is the fourth edition, and the 2026 season kicked off in July.

Akanni said the competition has opened doors for young Nigerian players to be noticed by foreign clubs. For players hoping to turn a good showing into a professional contract, Saturday's final is another chance to be seen.