The annual Victor Ikpeba Football Challenge ended with lots of action and fun on Friday, June 12, with Big John FC emerging the champions of the 2026 Lagos edition. They defeated LB United 2-0 in a match played at the Fujah Street Community Ground, Obele Odan, in Surulere, Lagos.
The day started with rain, but the weather soon brightened up with sunshine and good football. The better team won the game fair and square to the admiration of the crowd.
Before the final match, Ogogwu FC had defeated Gantos 2-1 via a penalty when the match ended goalless at the end of regulation time.
Afeez Salami of Big John was voted the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, while his teammate John Ozemohya finished as the Highest Goal Scorer with 3 goals.
Big John received N500,000 and a trophy, while LB United received N250,000. Odogwu FC and Gantos received N150,000 and N100,000, respectively, as the third and fourth.
The 1997 African Footballer of the Year, who is the organiser of the competition, Victor Ikpeba, said it was another season of fulfillment for him.
“Some of us started from this grassroots level and, with the help of God, made it to the European leagues and the World Cup. It therefore gives me joy and a sense of fulfillment when I see people throw in their hearts to do well in competitions like this,” the former Monaco FC star said just a day after the 2026 World Cup began in the USA, Canada and Mexico without the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Friends of Ikpeba and football, community leaders, and families were on the ground for the event, now powered by Bet9ja Foundation.
The event brought out former Barcelona FC star, Gbenga Okunowo.
The Sporting Lagos FC Chairman, Godwin Enakhena, helped with the trophy presentations, just as the Chairman of the Obele Odan Community, Pastor Adetola Adelagun, was on site with his daughter and helped with the award presentations too. Barrister Clark Ekpebe of the Niger Delta Creeks was a happy guest, and so was Leonard Okeke of Bet9ja.
New partners of the competition, Prostar, gave spectators opportunities to win prizes with the activation of some games on the grounds.
The Dapo Sotuminu family members were on the ground to help with the presentations. The late journalist Sotuminu helped to organise the first four editions.
The next Victor Ikpeba Football Challenge will be held in Warri by December, and it is also in its 6th edition.
