Organizer unveils 25 teams to jostle for Afriskaut NLO Cup

 

Twenty-five top teams in the nation's third-tier football league are set to make a statement when the 2024 Afriskaut NLO Cup kicks off between October 5th and 20th.

The Afriskaut NLO Cup is organized for the champions - that's teams that gained promotion in the regular Division One and U19 Youth League season.

The 2024 campaign will mark the 2nd edition of the NLO Cup but the first under Afriskaut, which will employ its cutting-edge expertise in data-driven football scouting and player analytics.

The Secretariat of the NLO, via its Media Channel, released the identities of the 25 teams and their conferences. 

The Northern Conference is made up of Barau FC (Kano), FC Basira (Lafia), Jnr Danburan FC (Katsina), Dan Lawan FC (Adamawa), Yalo FC (Bauchi), Mamba Pro FC   (FCT), Global Peace FC (Jos), Gimzsoca FC  (Jigawa), Atlantic Integral FC (Niger), Jega United FC (Kebbi), Tahir Babes FC (Kano), Kano Ambassadors FC (Kano) and Shied FC (Kano). 

 

First Bank FC Lagos leads the teams in the Southern Conference, followed by Igbajo United (Osun), Kun Khalifat FC (Imo), Magic Stars (Lagos), Emalex FC (Ondo), FC Ebedei Jnr (Ogun), and Elebuibon Boyz (Osun). Others are May & Frank FC (Calabar), Ahudiyannema FC (Abia), Bendel Insurance Jnr FC (Edo), Ozzala FC (Anambra) and Liqui Moly FC (Lagos)

 

NLO's Chief Operating Officer, Olushola Ogunnowo, said: “The Afriskaut NLO Cup makes the Champion of Champions competition more inclusive than ever before. 

"This allows the clubs to test themselves against a wider range of best opponents and raises the prospect for fans of seeing the top teams go head-to-head. 

"It will also result in more competitive matches for every club across the board. 

"25 teams, 13 from the Northern Conference and 12 from the Southern Conference will ignite the Bwari Stadium in the Federal Capital Territory and the Dipo Dina Stadium Ijebu-Ode, with their best football skills and great goals, which definitely will keep fans on the edge of the seats as they catch a glimpse of the football showpiece."

Afriskaut NLO Cup set to kickoff in October

 

The 2024 edition of the NLO Cup, sponsored by Afriskaut, will kick off in October, with the Bwari Stadium and Dipo Dina Stadium hosting the championship. 

In a correspondence dated 7th September to affiliate clubs that excelled in the just concluded NLO regular league season, informed of the date. 

The NLO CUP, a tournament designed by the Board of the Nationwide League One will enable the Champion clubs to compete among themselves and also use the event as a platform for the NLO to showcase the best talents in Nigeria's Grassroots League.

NAEMO Sports, which is one of NLO's partners, will use one of its affiliate brands (Afriskaut) to sponsor the event, which will commence on 5th October 2024 and run until the final on Sunday 20th.

The Bwari Stadium in the Federal Capital Territory will host the Northern Conference while the Dipo Dina Stadium Ijebu-Ode will host the Southern Conference.

The event, according to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the NLO, Olushola Ogunnowo, will enable Afriskaut to use their AI-driven technology data collection to assist the clubs in exposing their players to the world while the clubs go into an agreement on a full-time basis to further the relationship of players' data collection, which is the key in promoting and chatting a pathway for the grassroots football clubs players to the world.

The NLO Secretariat will contact the qualified clubs individually for enrollment to enable the league body to have a perfect tournament.

Afriskaut's data-driven approach powers NLO Cup

 

The Nationwide League One (NLO) has played a critical role in the development of Nigerian football by consistently supplying top talents to the Nigerian national teams, European and African teams, likewise the Nigeria Premier Football League and Nigeria National League clubs. 

Established formally under the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) in 2008, the league has become a foundational platform for young players across Nigeria to showcase their talents and Afriskaut is proud to partner with the Nationwide League One to sponsor the NLO Cup.

Afriskaut's partnership with the NLO is a perfect blend of the league's rich history of player development and Afriskaut's cutting-edge expertise in data-driven football scouting and players analytics.

Afriskaut aims to create a benchmark for youth talent in Nigerian football and brings its expertise in football talent identification, data-driven insights, and marketing to elevate the league's profile and the players within it.

Afriskaut will employ cutting-edge technology to collect and analyze vital player data as well as key football parameters, including speed, distance covered, key passes, assists, and more.

This data will not only enhance player development but also provide scouts and clubs with the necessary tools to make informed decisions, ensuring that Nigerian football talent is showcased on the world stage.

The Afriskaut sponsorship agreement was sealed with executives of Afriskaut and the NLO Chief Operating Officer, Olushola Ogunnowo.

Ogunnowo highlighted the significance of the partnership while speaking with the NLO Media Department, saying, “This partnership with Afriskaut for the NLO Cup for the next five years is a historic step for Nigeria's football growth, and demonstrating the Secretariat deep-rooted commitment to the over 400 clubs in the nation's third division league. 

"The NLO Cup tournament is organized to determine the champion from the eight (8) Nationwide League One teams and 17 Nationwide U19 Youth League teams that gained promotion to Nigeria National League and NLO Division One. 

"It's also more of a scientific scouting with Ai technology event geared towards helping the teams expose their players to the international market. 

"With the sponsorship, the NLO Cup will become one the most prestigious sporting events, showcasing our best talents to top clubs in Europe and off course, a global audience."

This collaboration is a significant step toward raising the visibility and credibility of Nigerian football, with the NLO Cup set to become a premier event that reflects the highest standards of youth football excellence.