Naija Super 8 to hold in Lagos as organisers settle disagreement

The maiden edition of Naija Super 8, Nigeria’s biggest off-season football competition, will go on as scheduled as the organisers have resolved their disagreement with Olawale Gafar, vice chairman of Lagos State Football Association (LSFA), TheCable understands.

Earlier, TheCable had reported that Flykite Productions, organisers of the competition, was mulling postponement of the event billed for Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos.

The organisers had been at loggerheads with Gafar, a member of the Fouad Oki-led LSFA board, over security arrangements for the tournament.

The organisers said adequate security provisions had been made for spectators and guests at the tournament.

However, Gafar had insisted that the stadium is part of the territory of the LSFA and the association is entitled to provide security throughout the competition.

The disagreement prompted Flykite Production to consider moving the tournament to an alternative venue, with the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, or Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, as better options.

However, a source close to the development told TheCable that the organisers and the LSFA chairman had reached a consensus over the security arrangement.

The insider added that the issue had been resolved, and the event would go on as initially planned at the Lagos stadium from July 7 to 16.

The 2023 Naija Super 8 teams include Remo Stars, Lobi Stars, Enyimba, and Yobe Stars.

Others are Rivers United and Kastina United, while Sporting Lagos and Akwa United were selected as wildcards by the organisers.

The tourney winners will go home with N25 million, the runner-up will get N9 million, and teams will earn N3 million per game.