Ondo Football Club Owners Kick Off First-Ever NLO Preseason Tournament In Akure
2 min read
By Sedara Philip
Football fans in Ondo State are set for an exciting week of grassroots football action as seven teams prepare to compete in the maiden edition of the Ondo State Football Club Owners Association Preseason Tournament for Nationwide League One (NLO) Clubs.
The competition, themed “Preseason of Champions Building the Future Stars,” is designed to provide a competitive platform for NLO clubs and football academies to prepare for the upcoming Nationwide League One season while showcasing emerging talents in the state.
The six-day football fiesta will take place at the Akure Township Stadium from March 13 to March 18, 2026, with matches scheduled daily across three kickoff windows.
The initiative by the Ondo State Football Club Owners Association aims to strengthen grassroots football development by creating opportunities for clubs and young players to gain match fitness, tactical experience, and exposure ahead of the new NLO campaign.
Organisers say the preseason competition will also promote unity among football stakeholders in the state while helping clubs fine-tune their squads before the start of the league season.
A total of seven teams will participate in the inaugural edition of the tournament.
Participating Teams
The teams confirmed for the competition are:
Wonderxchange FC
Agbana Wonderful FA
Emalex FC
Ipole City FC
Akure North United FC
Florence Joshua FA
Akure United FC
Group Draw
The teams have been divided into two groups.
Group A
Wonderxchange FC
Emalex FC
Akure North United FC
Akure United FC
Group B
Agbana Wonderful FA
Ipole City FC
Florence Joshua FA
Match Format
Each match will last 90 minutes, with 45 minutes per half.
Daily kickoff slots are scheduled as follows:
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-final stage, with winners progressing to the final.
Match Fixtures
Day 1 – Friday, March 13 (Group Stage)
10:00 AM
Wonderxchange FC vs Akure North United FC
12:00 PM
Agbana Wonderful FA vs Florence Joshua FA
2:00 PM
Emalex FC vs Akure United FC
Saturday, March 14
10:00 AM
Ipole City FC vs Agbana Wonderful FA
12:00 PM
Akure North United FC vs Wonderxchange FA
2:00PM
Akure North United Vs Emalex FC
Monday, March 16
10:00 AM
Emalex FC vs Wonderxchange FC
12:00 PM
Florence Joshua FA vs Ipole City FC
2:00PM
Wonderxchange FA Vs Emalex FC
Knockout Stage
Tuesday, March 17 – Semi-Finals
12:00 PM
Winner Group A vs Runner-Up Group B
2:00 PM
Winner Group B vs Runner-Up Group A
Wednesday, March 18 – Final Day
10:00 AM
Third Place Match
12:00 PM
Final
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
