Why this Supremacy Tournament is unique – Hajji Gafar

Pius Ayinor

As preparations intensify ahead of the 19th edition of the Lagos Supremacy Cup, the organisers of the annual football tournament have once again, reeled out rules and regulations that has made the tournament uniquely different and refreshing.

Hajji Gafar Liameed, the Chief Convener of the much-anticipated tournament, in talk with the Supremacy Media, explained that the matches would be played for 30 minutes in each half. Interestingly, too, there would be no offside calls during the games, as it would save the games from unwarranted stoppages, more minutes of play and more goals.

Speaking on the importance of the tournament to the development of football in Nigeria, he noted for emphasis, that in each generation, only 69 youth players can ever make the national U15, U17 and U20 teams respectively.

“Our core concept is to continue to present more opportunities for youth footballers in Nigeria, remember we have only 3 youth national teams, the U-15, U-17 and the U-20.

“These national teams can only showcase 23 players per tournament per generation. Where do we keep or place other one million active semi professional boys?

“The answer is Lagos Supremacy Cup. The 10 teams invited to this tournament does not cover the entire Nigeria youth football space, but the clubs have been painstakingly chosen based on each team’s antecedents,  as it regards top talent’s discoveries and production,” Hajji Gafar, who is also Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association, said.

The teams expected to feature in the tournament to be played at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos, from November 27 to 30th, 2024, and with the physical presence of top scouts from 10 European and South American countries, include 36 Lion, Dino FC, Ikorodu City, Broad City and Real Saphire. Others are, Beyond Limits, Seamoriow, Bethel, MS Success and Charlesann FC.