Draw Ceremony: NIS Hall Buzzes as Ex-Internationals Cup Fixtures Are Confirmed

There was something special in the air at the NIS Hall in Lagos on Friday.

Former Super Eagles stars walked through the doors as old rivals, and left as opponents once more — this time from opposite dugouts. The official draw for the 2026 Bet9ja Foundation Ex-Internationals Cup drew together Nigeria’s football legends, community leaders, and grassroots football stakeholders for an evening that felt less like a sporting formality and more like a genuine reunion.

The hall came alive the moment the pairings began to emerge. Every fixture carries a story. FC Ekpo vs FC Ipaye. FC Agali vs FC Oloyede. FC Odiaka vs FC Poto. FC Odinni vs FC Ikpeba. Former teammates, now on opposite sides — each tie loaded with history, friendship, and the particular fire that comes from wanting to beat someone you know very well.

The full list of first-round fixtures is as follows:

• FC Ekpo vs FC Ipaye
• FC Amoo vs FC Ogunlade
• FC Agali vs FC Oloyede
• FC Ayila vs FC Agu
• FC Poto vs FC Odiaka
• FC Giwa vs FC Temile
• FC Akanni vs FC Dominic
• FC Babington vs FC Dosu
• FC Disu vs FC Enegwea
• FC Odinni vs FC Ikpeba
• FC Edema vs FC Nieketien
• FC Udeze vs FC Ugbade
• FC Atine vs FC Obafemi
• FC Oguntuase vs FC Omoruyi
• FC Aiyegbeni vs FC Elahor
• FC Okpara vs FC Agbai

The tournament will be played on a strict home-and-away basis — a deliberate decision to bring the football directly into the communities of the ex-internationals. Local pitches, school grounds, and neighbourhood venues will host fixtures that carry national significance.

Organisers were clear about the tournament’s broader purpose: this is not just about football results. It is about rebuilding grassroots structures, reigniting local fan culture, and creating pathways for young players to be seen. The ex-internationals have embraced that responsibility fully, many describing their involvement as a full-circle moment in remarkable careers.

The competition gets underway soon. History is about to be made, one community at a time.