19th Lagos Supremacy Cup:Why This Tournament Is Very Unique – Hajji Gafar Liameed
By Akeem Busari
As preparations intensifies ahead of the 19th edition of the prestigious 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 a revealing chat with Supremacy Media, explained that the matches would be played for 30 minutes in each half and 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?” he asked rhetorically.
“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 also doubles as Chairman of Lagos State Football Association, added.
The teams expected to feature in the tournament to be played at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos, from November 27- 30th, 2024, and with the physical presence of top scouts from 10 Europe and South America countries, include 36 Lion FC, Dino FC, Ikorodu City FC, Broad City FC and Real Saphire FC.
Others are, Beyond Limits FC, Seamoriow FC, Bethel FC, MS Success FC and Charlesann FC.
