By Sports Desk
All is set for the grand finale of the 8th Edition of the Akogun Under-20 Annual Football Competition, with Owase FC and Ore Ofe FC set to battle for the championship trophy on Friday, July 31, 2026, at the Ojomirin High School Playing Field in Oka.
The grassroots football competition, championed by Hon. Akogun Olugbenga Omole, commenced on Sunday, June 14, 2026, with 20 football clubs representing the 15 quarters in Oka competing for honours, recognition and opportunities to advance their football careers.
The third-place encounter, played on Sunday, July 26, saw Dogo FC defeat Ibaka FC by a lone goal to secure third position in the competition. Attention now shifts to the decisive final between Owase FC and Ore Ofe FC, with kick-off scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
The grand finale will feature former Super Eagles goalkeeper and goalkeeper coach Alloysius Agu as Special Guest of Honour. Football scouts are also expected at the venue to assess outstanding players and identify promising talents who could progress to higher levels of the game.
The competition has attracted several former Super Eagles stars over the years, further strengthening its reputation as a platform for grassroots football development and talent discovery. Former internationals who have graced previous editions include Ben Iroha, Dosu Joseph, Mutiu Adepoju, the late Peter Rufai and Victor Ikpeba.
Beyond the excitement of the final, the tournament offers a total prize purse of ₦1 million. The eventual champions will receive ₦500,000, while the first and second runners-up will receive ₦300,000 and ₦200,000 respectively.
However, organisers say the competition is about more than prize money. Its primary objective is to discover, nurture and promote young football talents by creating opportunities for players to gain exposure and connect with scouts, academies and other development pathways.
In another major opportunity for participants, three outstanding players will be admitted into Inspiration Football Academy, Abuja, following the tournament. The academy placement is expected to provide the selected players with structured training and further opportunities to develop their football careers.
The competition's impact has also extended beyond Nigeria, with indigenes of Oka who emerged through the annual tournament now playing football in Europe. Their progress demonstrates the potential of sustained grassroots investment in identifying and developing young footballers.
For eight editions, the Akogun Under-20 Annual Football Competition has provided young players with a platform to showcase their abilities, compete, build confidence and pursue their football ambitions. The continued participation of notable former internationals has also helped raise the profile of the tournament and inspire the next generation of players.
As Owase FC and Ore Ofe FC prepare for the ultimate showdown, football lovers, parents, supporters, community leaders and well-wishers are expected to converge on Ojomirin High School Playing Field for an afternoon of football, entertainment, talent discovery and community celebration.
The grand finale promises not only to crown the champions of the 2026 edition but also to reinforce the competition's broader vision of developing football talent from the grassroots and creating a pathway from Oka to the world.