The Prof. Akin Oyebode Cup is set to reach a new milestone as organisers confirm that the prestigious grassroots football competition will return for a fifth edition in 2026, further strengthening its role in youth football development.
Hon. Akintunde Oyebode, the sponsor of the tournament, announced that the 2026 edition will kick off in July. According to him, the decision to shift the tournament to mid-year is aimed at sustaining the momentum of youth development through football across the state.
Oyebode explained that the July start date aligns with the natural football calendar and the school holiday period, a move expected to encourage wider participation and ensure the continuous discovery of young football talents after the current champions are crowned.
The competition, named after renowned legal scholar Akin Oyebode, has gradually grown into one of the notable grassroots sporting platforms nurturing emerging footballers and promoting community engagement through sports.
Speaking on the progress of the ongoing fourth edition, Oyebode expressed satisfaction with the tournament’s development, particularly the standards displayed during the group stage matches. He noted that there has been a significant improvement in organisation as well as the quality of football played by participating teams.
The current edition of the tournament will resume after the holy month of Ramadan as the competition moves into its knockout phase. Qualified teams are expected to return to action for the highly anticipated quarter-final clashes scheduled for March 19.
The matches will take place at the refurbished Ikole Township Stadium, where organisers expect an exciting round of fixtures as teams battle for a place in the semi-finals of the youth football championship.
