The Nigeria Football Coaches Association, Ogun State Chapter, Egba Zone, has officially announced the commencement of the Egba Football League, scheduled to run from 11th to 23rd February 2025 in Wasinmi, Ewekoro Local Government, Ogun State.
Speaking at the press conference held in Wasinmi, the head coach of Chosen Generation Football Club, Victor Agbagu, representing the association and the LOC, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, describing it as a first of its kind event.
He emphasised that the initiative is aimed at bridging the gap between grassroots football and professional opportunities.
“We are taking it from the local government to the zonal level, and from there to the state level,” Agbagu stated. “This is the first of its kind, and we are committed to making it a success.”
Coaches driving grassroots football development
Agbagu addressed concerns regarding the role of coaches in organising such a competition, affirming that it falls within their responsibilities. He explained that many grassroots coaches are now involved in club administration to ensure young talents receive opportunities to develop.
“People may ask, ‘what is the business of coaches in organising a football competition?’ But it is our job and responsibility,” he insisted. “We have realised that many grassroots coaches are evolving into administrators, running clubs and nurturing young players. If there are no avenues to evaluate our training, then all our efforts will be in vain.”
A platform for youth development and female participation
The competition, which began with preliminary matches in September 2024, has seen all six local governments in Egba complete their qualifiers by December. It will feature different age categories, including under-10, under-13, under-15, a free-age category, and female teams.
Explaining why the organisers opted against an under-17 category, Agbagu said “most of the players in the free-age category are also under 17, so we rounded it up as free-age,” and also “to avoid age-screening controversies.”
Emphasising the need for inclusivity, he stated, “Football is not only for males; the female players must also be represented.” The tournament will showcase both male and female football talents from across the zone.
Following deliberations, Ewekoro Local Government was chosen as the host for this year’s event, with Wasinmi being the preferred location due to its existing facilities. “Wasinmi has a track record of hosting national events, including the Wassimi Summer Soccer Championship,” he added.
He also noted that Ewekoro boasts about ten quality pitches, including a turf, and has the necessary facilities to accommodate the influx of players and officials.
Tournament format and schedule
The tournament will feature 66 teams across multiple age categories, with 24 teams competing in the free-age category. The under-10, under-13, and under-15 categories will each have 12 teams. The group-stage format for the free-age category consists of eight groups of three teams each while the other categories have four groups of three teams each, with the top two from each group advancing to the knockout stages.
It will officially kick off on Wednesday, 12th February 2025, following the arrival of teams on 11th February. The matches will be held at the Segun Odegbami International College and Sports Academy and the United Comprehensive High School, both in Wasinmi. Additionally, Baptist Primary School Field will serve as a standby venue for underage games.
Matches will be played daily, with two fixtures in the morning at Segun Odegbami Field (9:00 AM) and two in the evening at United Comprehensive High School (3:00 PM). The grand finale is scheduled for 23rd February.
“The free-age matches will follow the standard 45-minute halves with a 10-minute break, while underage matches will have a modified format,” Agbagu explained. “Each day will feature four matches—two in the morning and two in the afternoon.”
Beyond the game: Scouting and data analytics integration
A major highlight of the tournament is its emphasis on talent identification and development. Agbagu confirmed that there would be scouting programmes to help players advance their careers.
“It’s not just about playing; we will ensure that videos are live-streamed to scouts both within and outside Nigeria,” he said. “Even if just one or two players get the opportunity to move to the next level, we will consider this a success.”
Addressing the growing importance of data analytics in football, Agbagu revealed plans to integrate platforms such as Sofascore, Team Stats, and AfriScout to track player performance.
“Videos alone don’t sell players—data does,” he remarked. “We are working with these platforms so that results and player statistics will be available in real time, just like Livescore.”
To streamline scouting efforts, he said organisers will prioritise data collection for teams that reach the quarter-final stage, while highlights from earlier matches will also be made available.
He also encouraged participating teams to take advantage of data analysis tools, stating, “We are guiding teams on how to record and analyse their matches, so they can showcase their players effectively.”
Economic and social impact on the host community
Beyond football development, the event is expected to bring significant economic benefits to Wasinmi and the surrounding community.
“With 66 teams participating and each bringing at least 25 players, we are expecting over 1,000 participants,” Agbagu revealed. “This will create business opportunities for local traders and service providers.”
“Wherever a tournament of this nature takes place, business thrives. Everyone will smile to the bank,” Agbagu said.
He added that security measures have also been put in place, with organisers working closely with local security agencies to ensure a safe environment for all participants and spectators.
Pathway to state and national recognition
The Egba Football League is part of a broader initiative, with similar competitions taking place in Ijebu and Remo. The finalists from each zone will advance to the state level, making this tournament a crucial stepping stone for aspiring footballers.
“This is a state program, and the league will continue beyond this tournament,” Agbagu confirmed. “Our ultimate goal is to nurture players who can represent Ogun State and Nigeria at the highest levels.”
Agbagu further highlighted the tournament’s role in developing young talents, citing past successes such as players from Ogun State being selected for the Nigeria U-15 Future Eagles team.
“Last year, three players from our state were selected for the national U-15 team. We have also had female players invited to the national U-17 team,” he noted.
Final preparations and community involvement
As the tournament draws closer, organisers have intensified efforts to raise awareness, including community outreach and media engagements.
“We are leveraging online and traditional media to ensure the entire Wasinmi community is informed and engaged. We are working with local media and community leaders to inform residents about the event.
“The press, radio shows, and online platforms will be instrumental in spreading awareness,” Agbagu concluded.
