
The 2025 Edo Football Federation Cup is set to begin February 5 with 24 male teams and a record-breaking six female teams competing for top honours at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
Notably, two Christian faith-based football sides have been pitched against each other.
This year’s tournament, being organised by Edo State Football Association under the leadership of Fred Newton Erhunmwunse and sponsored by Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Ltd., promises exciting rewards, with trophies, medals, and significant cash prizes for the top three teams in both male and female categories. The men’s champions will receive ₦1 million, while the runners-up and third-place finishers will take home ₦750,000 and ₦500,000, respectively. For the female category, the first place team will be awarded ₦750,000, while the second and third-place teams will receive ₦500,000 and ₦250,000, respectively.
In a landmark achievement for women’s football in Edo, six female teams will participate in the 2025 FA Cup for the first time.
The outcome of the draw ceremony held at the media centre of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Benin-City on Wednesday showed that Living Voice Football Academy will battle Assemblies of God FC in the first round of the competition. The winner between the two Christian football clubs will face Benin Warriors FC who drew bye in the second round of the event which is featuring 24 men’s and six women’s clubs. Similarly, defending champions Bendel Insurance FC, having drawn bye, will meet the winner between Restoration FC and Dynamo Sports FC in the second round.
Furthermore, last year finalist, Ine Stars FC’s quest for the trophy will begin in second round as the club will await winner between Olowolo FC and Sports Family FC.
In the women’s category featuring six clubs, defending champions Edo Queens FC will face winner between Benin Red Soil Queens FC and Tiki Taka FC in the semifinal encounter. Also, last year’s runner-up, Fortress Ladies FC, will have semifinal encounter with whoever wins between Brace Heart Ladies FC and Bravos FC.
Beyond the major prizes, additional incentives have been introduced to make the competition more engaging. The last four teams standing in both categories will receive jerseys for their players and coaches. Each participating team will also receive 25 jerseys and a hose, courtesy of Peculiar Ultimate Concerns.
To further motivate players, there will be a Man of the Match award for every game in both the male and female categories, sponsored by Peculiar. In addition, six balls have been provided for the final match, courtesy of Prostar, while Olivia Water will provide free water throughout the tournament.
Speaking at the draws, Chairman of the Edo State Football Association, Fred Newton Erhunmwunse, commended the transparency of the selection process and praised the efforts of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC).
“This year’s FA Cup is full of surprises. The bigger teams can sometimes lose from the first preliminary game. But we are looking at selecting the best teams that will represent Edo State in the national playoffs,” Erhunmwense said.
He also charged the referees and teams to uphold discipline, noting that any act of indiscipline would not be tolerated.
“Last year, a team was banned for four years due to misconduct, and we are reviewing their appeal. This year, all teams must show discipline on and off the pitch,” he added.
The competition, which aims to promote grassroots football development in Edo State, will conclude on February 23, with the top two teams in each category advancing to the national playoffs.
Speaking on sports development, Executive Director of Sports Development and Operations, Emenogena Sabina Chikiri, emphasised the need to shift focus from the state capital to rural areas. She highlighted plans to partner with local governments to identify and develop young talents in villages, ensuring they are given opportunities to grow in various sports.
“We need to go beyond the state capital and reach the hinterlands, where many children are yearning for opportunities. Each region in Edo has its sporting strengths, Edo North for long races, Edo Central for gymnastics, and others. Our coaches must step up and find these raw talents,” Chikiri said.
She also revealed plans to integrate sports into the school curriculum by working with the Ministry of Education and SUBEB, ensuring that students develop an early interest in sports.
“We will partner with the Ministry of Education and SUBEB to bring sports back into schools as a subject. This will help us catch young talents early and nurture them into professional athletes,” she said.