FC Bethel (Tunisia) before their quarter final match against Algeria (Victory FC) at the NITEL Training School playground, Cappa, Oshodi on Thursday. Tunisia won 1-0

The premises of NITEL Training School at Cappa, Oshodi in Lagos has been a beehive of activities since the kick-off of the maiden Mimshack Sports Mock Nations Cup on 12 October.

TheNEWS observed that the tournament has also generated a lot of excitement among fans and young players with the competition reaching its semi final stage on Monday.

In the quarter final matches decided on Thursday, DR Congo (Young Star FC) beat Morocco (Skillful FC) 1-0, while Algeria (Victory FC) lost 0-1 to Tunisia (FC Bethel). South Africa (El Shaddai) beat Senegal (Zest de Betis) 5-3. Ivory Coast(Team 360 FC) lost 0-1 to Togo (Ago FC) in the last match of the quarter final fixtures.

In the semi final matches which will be played on Monday, DR Congo will trade tackles with Senegal, while Tunisia will lock horns with Togo.

Sponsor, Mimshack Sports Mock Nations Cup, Barrister (Mrs) Rotimi Alfred (middle) with members of the organising committee of the competition, Coach Adewale Adams (right) and Coach Samuel Badejo at the NITEL Training School, Cappa, Oshodi in Lagos on Thursday. PHOTOS: Taiwo Adelu

Speaking on the vision behind the grassroots football competition where the participating 16 teams bear the names of some African countries, sponsor, Barrister (Mrs.) Rotimi Alfred, said: “Every Nigerian must see it as a point of duty to be part of the nation building through youth empowering projects, and I believe the government cannot do it alone. We need concerted efforts from all Nigerians to develop the talent of our youths and take many of them out of the streets. Sponsoring a tournament like this is my own little way of telling our youth that there’s hope. I believe that if you build live, you are building a generation.”

Barrister Alfred disclosed that a total number of 48 matches (three matches per team), were played with 47 goals scored in the preliminary stage. According to her, the sum of N100,000 with a giant gold trophy will be given to the winners of the competition in the final slated for 31 October. The second and third runners up will get N70,000 and N50,000 respectively with medals, while awards will also be given to the highest goals corer, most valuable player and the best goalkeeper of the tournament.

A member of the organising committee, Coach Adewale Adams, said that the sponsor has indicated her interest of taking the competition to the next level in the next edition with the introduction of female competition. “We would like more sponsors to come on board to help put more packages as rewards for the players because we plan to introduce other sports such as table tennis and athletics in the future,” Coach Adams said.