The Nigerian football landscape is once again set for its annual competitive curtain-raiser as the 13th Gold Cup Pre-Season Tournament, dedicated to the memory of the late Chief Taiwo Joseph Ogunjobi, prepares to kick off in Sagamu, Ogun State.
The ten-day tournament, widely regarded as Nigeria’s most prestigious pre-season event, will take place at the FC Ebedei Stadium, Sagamu, from Thursday, October 16, to Saturday, October 25, 2025. It will bring together top clubs from the Nigeria National League (NNL) alongside a select few from the Nationwide League One (NLO), offering a high-quality platform for tactical fine-tuning and competitive fitness ahead of the new season.
According to the organizers, this year’s edition will feature ten teams in total — eight from the Nigeria National League (NNL) and two from the Nationwide League One (NLO), namely Seamoriow FC and FC Ebedei, who also serve as tournament hosts.
The Gold Cup has earned its place as a crucial fixture on the Nigerian football calendar, providing clubs with the opportunity to test new signings, evaluate tactical adjustments, and gauge squad depth under real competitive conditions. The tournament also continues to honour the enduring legacy of Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, a revered football administrator, former NFF Secretary-General, and ex-international whose contributions to Nigerian football development remain indelible.
The organizers have confirmed the pairings for the preliminary stage, dividing the participating teams into two evenly matched groups. The tournament will run daily, with fixtures culminating in the grand finale on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
The opening day, Thursday, October 16, will feature three crucial matches. Among the standout fixtures are the Group A clash between hosts FC Ebedei and Sporting Lagos on Sunday, October 19, and a Group B showdown between Lobi Stars and Crown FC on Friday, October 17.
After the conclusion of the group stage on Tuesday, October 21, teams will observe a rest day before returning for the Semi-Finals on Thursday, October 23, where group winners will face the runners-up from the opposing group. The 13th Gold Cup Pre-Season champion will then emerge from the grand finale on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
