By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The much-awaited inaugural edition of the Naija Super 8 football competition has kicked off in Lagos, with the winner of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Enyimba International, playing against the league runner-up, Remo Stars of Ikenne.
The match commenced at 4:30 pm on Friday at the newly renovated Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos, and it is aired live on SuperSport on DStv channel 205 and GOtv channel 61.
Other clubs participating in the tournament are newly promoted Sporting Lagos and Katsina United, Rivers United, Lobi Stars, Akwa United and Yobe Desert Stars.
Each club at the tournament will earn N3 million per match at the group stage. Semi-finalists will earn an additional N3 million; the runners-up will earn N9 million, while the winners will go home with N25 million.
According to the organisers, Flykite Productions, the 10-day tournament will feature 15 matches and live music performances by Afrobeats artists.
Commenting on entertainment activities lined up for the tournament, the Chief Executive Officer of Flykite Productions, Jenkins Alumona, said Naija Super 8 finals will be a carnival of music and football.
“The Play-off at the Eket Township Stadium has given us snippets of what to expect at the Lagos finals. We are in for 10 days of spectacular football displays from Naija Super 8 teams.
“We are also making this tournament a carnival of football and music for the fans. An Afrobeats artiste has been scheduled to perform live on each match day.
“At the same time, fans will also be able to refresh themselves at different refreshments stands around the stadium, courtesy of our sponsors, Pepsi and Hero Lager,” Alumona said.
Set to perform at the opening match is the popular Zazuu crooner, Portable. Other artists scheduled to perform at the tournament include 9ice, Daddy Showkey, Lil Kesh, Pheelz, Bella Shmurda, Peruzzi, and Crayon.
Naija Super 8 is organised in partnership with MultiChoice Nigeria and sponsors MTN, Hero Lager, DStv, GOtv, SuperSport, Moniepoint, Pepsi and Custodian Assurance.
Dipo Olowookere