By Akeem Busari

 

The battle lines have been drawn, as eight teams get set for the race to win the ultimate diadem, beginning Monday, at the prestigious Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

Certainly, the pitch would be higher and the pace, faster. To get to this stage of quater-finals matches, was never a piece of cake for the teams. They broke tears, sweat and blood. It was not for nothing, because the grand prize for this year’s edition of the biggest grassroots football championship in Nigeria, is a mouth-watering N20 million.

 

Leading the quater- finalists are the defending champions SB LFC, who have been unrelenting, as they continue the battle towards a successful title defence. They go into what has been tagged a 'clash of titans', against a strong FC Bethel Sporting. 

Gunners Link FC who surprisingly topped group A, would love to continue the journey to the land of honey when it tackles Collins Edwin FC, for spot in the last four of the championship. 

Emajus FC will fight for the semi-finals ticket against the cinderrela team of the championship, Diadem Stallion FC who knocked off 36 Lion FC in the playoffs. And surely, they wouldn't want to stop the dreams, at this stage.

 

Dominion Hotspur FC who have been dominant so far in this year’s championship, would face off with another surprise package in Emiloju FC, who knocked out last year's finalist Ighalo FC, in the playoffs.

 

Meanwhile, the sponsors of the championship, 1XBET and the organisers, Match International Limited, have perfected plans to improve upon the standard of the organisation, which has been top notch, so far.

 

Chief Executive Officer of Match International Limited, Engr. Waidi Akanni, promises soccer fans untold excitement, top class football games and lots of glitz and glamour, throughout all the matches.