The much-anticipated final of the 2025 Victor Ikpeba Football Challenge will take place on Wednesday, 12 June, to coincide with star forward Victor Ikpeba’s birthday. The annual grassroots tournament returns to Surulere’s Obele Odan Community Centre, having kicked off on 31 May.
Now in its fifth edition, this year’s competition is dedicated to the late Dapo Sotuminu, a respected journalist and driving force behind the event since its inception. Organisers confirmed eight local teams are battling it out in the quarter-finals, with the lineup including defending champions Gantos FC alongside Odogwu FC, LB United FC, Rocksteady FC, Indomitable Lions FC, Achievers FC, Big John FC and Abe Igi FC.
Concerns were raised earlier over the pitch’s condition, prompting Ikpeba to consider cancelling the tournament. He remains optimistic that local authorities will renovate the ground by year’s end.
Bet9ja Foundation returns as headline sponsor, ensuring cash prizes and medals for the top four teams. The thoroughfare through qualifiers and knockouts ended last week, setting the stage for a festive finale on the community pitch.
Editorial
We celebrate the enduring spirit of the Victor Ikpeba Football Challenge its grassroots reach, community engagement and youth focus remain as vital as ever. In an era where elite academies dominate, this tournament shines a spotlight on raw talent and local pride.
Honouring Dapo Sotuminu adds emotional depth to the event. That tribute deepens community connections and reminds us that football thrives beyond headlines in acts of stewardship and legacy. We believe continued recognition perhaps a Sotuminu annual award could inspire future organisers to carry his torch.
However, the pitch’s dilapidation cannot be ignored. A community competition needs safe, playable grounds. We urge Lagos authorities and sponsors to upgrade Obele Odan swiftly. A thriving grassroots pitch signals respect for those who play there and encourages greater participation.
Bet9ja’s consistent partnership is encouraging but the financial model must expand. Girls’ teams, skill clinics and medical aid could amplify impact. When sponsors do more than fund trophies, they build systems; that’s how national talent pipelines are sustained.
As the quarter‑finals funnel down, we’ll be watching not just for goals, but for growing organisational maturity, sportsmanship and youth opportunity. Let the final be more than a match it must be a community festival, a talent showcase and a platform that bridges Surulere to the global stage.
Did You Know?
- Victor Ikpeba debuted his challenge in 2021, and by 2023, winners were earning up to ₦450,000 across all prize categories.
- The contest is held annually on June 12, which is Ikpeba’s birthday and also Nigeria’s Democracy Day.
- The tournament began with just youth teams; by 2025, it’s open to all ages including grassroots veterans.
- Organisers present awards for MVP, top defender, midfielder, and leading scorer showing depth beyond team honours.
- Former winners include community hero clubs like Ebele Lions FC (2021) and FC Segun Ijitola (2023), who both triumphed in local finals held at Obele Odan.
