The 2025 edition of the Bet9ja Cup tagged “Boolu Ogbe” kick started in a grand style amidst cheers and jubilation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium today, with Asata and Top land recording victories in the first round of the knockout phase after defeating their opponent’s, Old Park and Coal Camp,.
The championship, which is sponsored by Bet9ja Foundation, in collaboration with the Enugu State Ministry for Youth and Sports Development and the Enugu Stare Football Association is a grassroot sports competition, aimed at discovering and nurturing young talents that will give a good representation in any major championship.
As hans, supporters, sports enthusiasts and passerby s troupe in their numbers in to the venue to catch a glimpse of the excitement and spectacle, the organizers explained that the tournament which is in its third edition of a five year sponsorship deal, is also about giving back to the society by promoting healthy sporting activities within the various neighbour hoods across the metropolis,
Top land, a side that qualified through the play offs and making its debut in the competition, secured a spot to the next stage of the tournament, against an established team and one of the tournament’s favorite, Coal Camp, 4-3 on penalties, after both sides ended regulation time goalless.
Despite putting up scintillating and exciting football artistry, as well as dictating the flow of the game at various times during the encounter, neither of the two sides were able to convert their goal scoring opportunities, just as the goalkeepers did well to also keep their teams in the game.
Similarly, in the first game played earlier, it was indeed a resilient and formidable Asata side, that carried the day, outclassing and dominating all the departments of the game against a non coordinated and disjointed Old Park, 3-1.
Meanwhile match day 2 fixture which begins by 12 pm tomorrow, will see another pulsating encounter between Nenwe and Phase (2), Monaque, another powerhouse in this championship will square off against a compact and organized, Oji River by 2 pm and the last match of the day, which is tagged the “battle of the royal” will be the team from Amechi taking on Independence layout.
