Sixteen squads compete in The9jaboy amateur soccer championship

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A 16-team grassroots football competition organised by Nigerian travel brand The9jaboy is set to begin on Wednesday (today) in Lagos as part of efforts to discover young talents and promote youth development.

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The tournament, scheduled to hold between Wednesday, May 13 and Sunday, May 17, 2026, is an initiative of popular travel creator and media personality McDolly Ogundana, widely known as The9jaboy.

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According to a statement released by the organisers in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Tuesday, “The competition is designed to provide opportunities for young footballers to showcase their talents while encouraging discipline, community engagement and positive youth participation.”

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Speaking ahead of the kick-off, the organisers said the initiative reflected the brand’s commitment to investing in grassroots development beyond digital content creation and travel advocacy.

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They noted that the tournament would bring together football lovers, community leaders and residents, particularly from Ebute Metta, Lagos, where the founder is from.

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The9jaboy has gained popularity for documenting African travel experiences and promoting global mobility for Nigerians and Africans through digital storytelling, documentaries and travel-related content.

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The founder of the brand, Ogundana, who has visited over 129 countries, has built a global audience by sharing stories centred on visa challenges, border experiences and opportunities available to African travellers.

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The organisers added, “The football tournament forms part of the company’s broader community development projects aimed at empowering young people and creating platforms for emerging talents.

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“This initiative is beyond football. It is about creating opportunities, inspiring young people and showing that talent from the grassroots deserves visibility and support.”

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The organisers further disclosed that the brand has lined up other major projects for 2026, including a West African overland expedition, a Greenland documentary project and the release of a book documenting lessons from travels across more than 129 countries.

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“The tournament is expected to attract football enthusiasts and supporters from different parts of Lagos during the five-day competition,” the statement added.

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The PUNCH reports that the competition was introduced last year in Lagos State and attracted football enthusiasts from across the country.

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