The stage is ready for Nigeria’s first nationwide college 5-A-Aspect soccer match, with eight establishments competing within the inaugural Monieball 5-A-Aspect scheduled to run from 8-31 October.
The College of Ilorin and Adekunle Ajasin College, Akungba, will function host venues for the group stage matches.
The competitors format options group stage spherical robins, semi-final knockouts, and a grand ultimate in Lagos on 31 October.
As revealed throughout a press parley in Lagos on Friday, Group A consists of the College of Ilorin, College of Calabar, College of Uyo and Abia State College.
Group B contains Adekunle Ajasin College, College of Ibadan, Federal College of Agriculture, Abeokuta, and Federal College Oye-Ekiti.
Matches will likely be performed underneath customary 5-A-Aspect guidelines, with two 25-minute halves and 5 substitutions permitted per group. Organisers say the occasion will mix soccer, leisure and campus tradition, with reside commentary, DJs and reside streaming to interact a wider viewers.
Talking forward of the match, Anastasia Igbokidi Head of Model at Moniepoint, stated the initiative was designed to supply a platform for college kids to showcase their expertise whereas connecting them with alternatives past soccer.
“It’s a brand new day, we’re going to kick it off formally. This Monieball 5-A-Aspect occasion is a really intentional plan. We actually wish to get near the younger individuals, to the scholars,” she stated.
Based on her, the match is rooted within the ardour Nigerians have for soccer, notably on campuses.
“We additionally recognise they love their ardour for soccer. So we determined to carry them nearer to what they love. And still have them reward it,” she added.
Ms Igbokidi-Okafor revealed that the competitors will include trophies and monetary rewards, although the prize cash will likely be unveiled in the course of the match.
She emphasised that the long-term imaginative and prescient shouldn’t be solely in regards to the video games, but additionally about significant engagement with younger Nigerians.
“Lots of people had goals of going into skilled soccer. Perhaps they didn’t have the chance. However now with the Monieball five-a-side match, we’re giving them a platform the place they’re not simply enjoying, however they’re additionally being rewarded,” she defined.
She additionally confirmed that model ambassador Victor Osimhen is eager on supporting the competitors regardless of at the moment recovering from harm.
“He’s very enthusiastic about this. He has quite a lot of messages for the younger individuals and we’ll be rolling these out as we go on,” she stated.
The finals on 31 October in Lagos are anticipated to crown Nigeria’s first college 5-A-Aspect champions, marking what organisers hope will turn into a brand new custom in campus sports activities.
Fixtures
Group A (College of Ilorin, Host)
Wednesday, 8 October
UNICAL vs UNILORIN – 4:00pm
UNIUYO vs ABSU – 5:00pm
Thursday, 9 October
UNILORIN vs ABSU – 4:00pm
UNICAL vs UNIUYO – 5:00pm
Friday, 10 October
UNILORIN vs UNIUYO – 4:00pm
ABSU vs UNICAL – 5:00pm
Group B (Adekunle Ajasin College, Host)
Wednesday, 15 October
AAUA vs UI – 4:00pm
FUNAAB vs FUOYE – 5:00pm
Thursday, 16 October
AAUA vs FUNAAB – 4:00pm
FUOYE vs UI – 5:00pm
Friday, 17 October
FUOYE vs AAUA – 4:00pm
FUNAAB vs UI – 5:00pm
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Semi Finals (College of Calabar)
Thursday, 23 October
A1 vs B2 – 4:00pm
B1 vs A2 – 5:00pm
Finals (Lagos)
Friday, October 31
Third Place: L1 vs L2 – Time TBA
Remaining: W1 vs W2 – Time TBA
