The maiden edition of the Benin Unity Cup Football Tournament burst into life on Thursday with colour high-octane football, as international scouts and top political figures gathered in Benin City to witness what is already being hailed as a landmark moment for grassroots football development in southern Nigeria.
Held at the Crescent Football Club Sports Complex, Irhirhi, the opening ceremony was a vibrant showcase of local pride, as young footballers from the seven Local Government Areas of Edo South marched into a packed arena amid fanfare and traditional displays. The month-long tournament, running from 20 November to 20 December 2025, has attracted growing international attention, with scouts reportedly arriving from Sweden and other European countries to monitor emerging talents.
The tournament is the brainchild of Senator Neda Imasuen, who described the competition as a long-term investment in the future of Edo’s youth.
“This is not a one-time thing. We are building something that will continue every year, a platform where talents can be discovered and nurtured,” Imasuen said during the ceremony.
The lawmaker, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, said football now represents a global economic force and insisted Edo State possesses untapped talent capable of reaching elite levels.
“Football is now one of the biggest industries in the world. We have an abundance of talent here, but talent left idle slips away. We are here to awaken it,” he added.
On the pitch, Egor Local Government delivered the tournament’s first statement performance, thrashing Uhunmwode LG 5–1 in a blistering attacking display that lit up Friday’s fixtures.
Uhunmwode stunned the crowd with the fastest goal of the tournament, as Hope Oleije struck inside the opening minute. However, the early goal only served to ignite Egor’s assault.
Ojelum Ernest restored parity in the 8th minute before swiftly putting Egor in front. Osemwengie Patrickma de it 3–1 in the 17th minute, while Courage Ehigie added a fourth in the 39th minute.
Ernest completed his brace in the 67th minute, while Nwaigwe Chuka capped the demolition with a composed finish in the 50th minute, underlining Egor’s superior organisation, pace and firepower.
The tournament’s opening match between Ovia North-East and Ikpoba-Okha provided drama without goals, ending 0–0 after an intense contest filled with goalmouth scrambles and last-ditch clearances.
In another tightly contested tie, Orhiomwon LG and Oredo II shared the spoils in a 1–1 draw, serving up a fast-paced battle that kept the crowd engaged throughout.
Meanwhile, Oredo I were awarded a 3–0 walkover victory against Ovia South-West LG after their opponents failed to appear within the mandatory 30-minute grace period, in accordance with tournament rules.
The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Desmond Amadin Enabulele, confirmed that state scouts had been deployed to monitor outstanding performers.
“Those discovered here must not be abandoned. We will place them in our feeder teams or, where possible, open doors for them internationally. This tournament must become a pipeline of opportunity,” he said.
Tournament Coordinator and former Commissioner for Transportation, Hon. Orobosa Omo-Ojo, urged political leaders across Edo South to emulate Senator Imasuen’s model of youth empowerment through sport.
Edo FA Chairman, Mr Fred Newton Erhunmwense, extended the challenge to lawmakers from Edo North and Central, calling for similar platforms to keep young people engaged and away from crime.
Other dignitaries in attendance included Hon. Baldwin Bazuaye, Executive Director and representative of South-South Youth Football, and Mrs Sabina Chikere, Executive Director, Sports Development and Operations, Edo State.
With European scouts in the stands, political backing at the highest levels, and local communities rallying behind their teams, the Benin Unity Cup has moved swiftly beyond the status of a mere football competition.
It has become a bold statement of intent, a grassroots revolution aimed at turning raw street talent into structured opportunity, and transforming Edo State into a recognised production line of football excellence.
As the tournament gathers pace, expectations continue to rise that the next African football star may well emerge from the dusty pitches of Benin.
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