The maiden edition of the International Invitational Football Tournament tagged “Africa for Peace’’ between clubs from Nigeria and South Africa will hold in Oba, Anambra State in July.
The Local Organising Committee (LOC) Chairman, Mustapha Mohammed, said on Sunday in Abuja, that the tournament would hold from July 21 to July 26.
He said newly formed FC Ifeanyi Ubah of Nnewi, Sunshine Stars FC of Akure, Kano Pillars FC and one of the national teams would be representing Nigeria whilst Ajax Cape Town, Jomo Cosmos FC and Golden Arrows FC would be joining them from South Africa.
“Already, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), through a letter signed by the General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, has given its provisional approval for the tourney to be held in the country. Now, arrangements are in top gear to ensure a hitch-free tournament, organised to put in shape the Nigerian teams for the second round of the Nigerian Premier League, while the South Africans will use it as part of their pre-season engagements,’’ he said.
The LOC chairman said the choice of Oba as the tournament’s venue was to showcase to the world that Anambra as a state has the facilities to host bigger events.
“It will also help to develop the game’s followership in the state,’’ he added.
He further implored football fans across the nation to make the trip to Oba and watch the games.
“We are drawing the followers of the game from across the continent to Oba and we are ready, and we will just urge our football fans to come out and support quality matches,” he said.
