Anyaoku Cup: Why We Delay North Zonal Qualification Matches-Organisers

National Youth Soccer Assocation NYSA has fixed 5-12 April 2026 to kick start the northern zones of qualification matches at the ongoing U-16 Inter States Emeka Anyaoku football competition.

The annual football tourney is being played to honour former Secretary General of Commonwealth Nations, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, GCON.

A total of 120 teams across six geo-political zones of the country kicked off the tournament some months ago.The two finalists in each zone would qualify for the Round of 16, which holds in Lagos in end of April.

Match coordinator Samuel Omolola told our correspondent that all the three regions have conluded their zonal qualification matches and noted that they delayed the three northern regions as a result of Ramadan fasting.

“We have concluded plans to kick start the qualification matches in the North West, East and Central.The two finalists in each region would automatically qualify for the round of 16 in Lagos later in April/May” he said.

Omolola also disclosed that finalists have emerged in other geo- political zones and urged them to continue their preparations ahead of the round of 16 scheduled for next month in Lagos.

Other teams qualified for the South West zone are Oluyole Football Academy from Oyo and Olumo Rock Football Academy from Ogun,while Ikeduru United FA from Imo State and Osumenyi Football Academy Anambra State will represent the South East.

In South-South, Ekpoma United FA from Edo State and Ogboro Babes FA from Bayelsa State would represent the zone in the round of 16.

Lagos would have a large number of teams in the round of 16 scheduled to hold next month.

Omolola commended 120 teams across geo-political zones of Nigeria that registered for the tournament for their spirit of sportsmanship exhibited since the annual tournament kicked some months ago across various zones.

Commenting on the competition so far, Omolola expressed his satisfaction with the conduct of the teams during and after their match noted that the competition has not only lived up to expectations but well organised and coordinated in various zones.

He also commended the match officials for their unbiased officiating and congratulated the qualifying teams for their impressive performance to reach the round of 16 stage format.

‘Like I said earlier, this competition has lived up to expectations and I must commend other members of the organising committee for the job well done in other zones.I also want to specially thank the Chief Emeka Anyaoku for his commitment to the football development in Nigeria and I must commend him for sustaining this tournament in the last 17 years,” he said.