Olatoye Olawole, General Manager of SGFC Athletics, has praised the Jagaban Cup as a leading platform for grassroots football development in Nigeria. Speaking after his team's thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over Dino sealed by a late strike from Ayodeji Abayomi on matchday two Olawole commended the tournament’s structure and its impact on youth football.
the event as "fantastic," Olawole highlighted the tournament's ability to gather eight top clubs—four from Lagos and four from Ogun State in a competitive setting that gives privately-run teams a stage to showcase emerging talent. "In football, after preparing your product, you need a market to display it, and this tournament provides just that," he noted.
He went on to applaud the tournament’s chief organiser, Alhaji Liameed Gafar, for his dedication and consistency in promoting grassroots football. "Hajji Gafar has done an amazing job. The organization is top-notch, and we hope this competition remains sustainable. Kudos to the entire organizing team—this is a well-executed event."
On SGFC Athletics' participation, Olawole said their invitation was no surprise, given the club’s rising profile. "SGFC has been in the spotlight recently. Two years ago, we qualified for the NNL playoffs representing the Kwara zone, and we’ve continued to grow, including transferring players. Our presence at the Jagaban Cup is well deserved," he concluded.
Editorial
The Jagaban Cup may not yet enjoy mainstream media coverage, but it is quietly becoming one of the most important grassroots football tournaments in southern Nigeria. And when voices like Olatoye Olawole speak so highly of it, we’re reminded just how crucial such platforms are to the country’s football ecosystem.
Grassroots football remains the lifeblood of Nigerian football. While all eyes often focus on the NPFL or the Super Eagles, the next generation of stars are honing their craft in dusty neighbourhood fields and modest local tournaments. What they need is an opportunity something the Jagaban Cup offers with remarkable effectiveness.
Eight teams. Two states. Dozens of players with everything to prove. This is where the next Osimhen or Iheanacho could take their first real steps into the spotlight. More importantly, the format of the tournament encourages both scouting and structured development. It’s not just about who wins it’s about who grows.
We also commend organisers like Alhaji Gafar for understanding that sustainable football starts at the grassroots. Tournaments like this need support not just from the community but from the top tiers of Nigerian football administration. If nurtured properly, the Jagaban Cup could become a national institution.
Let’s not wait for these players to go viral before we invest in them. Let's build them up while they’re still unknown, still hungry. Because Nigerian football will only rise as high as its grassroots is allowed to grow.
Did You Know?
The Jagaban Cup is named in honour of Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who holds the traditional title "Jagaban of Borgu."
SGFC Athletics represented Kwara State in the 2022/23 Nigeria National League NNL playoffs.
The NNL is Nigeria’s second-tier football division and often serves as a bridge for promotion to the NPFL.
Many NPFL stars started in grassroots tournaments like the Jagaban Cup before gaining attention.
Ogun and Lagos States have some of the most active privately-owned football clubs in Nigeria, producing talents for both national and international leagues.
