European Scouts Expected as 10 Clubs Target AFH Pre-Season Title

Posted : 14 October 2026

Ten clubs from Nigeria’s second- and third-tier leagues will compete for the inaugural African Football Holding (AFH) Pre-Season Tournament title as the competition kicks off in Sagamu, Ogun, on Thursday.

The 10-day tournament, scheduled for October 15 to 24 at FC Ebedei Stadium, Apele, will offer the champions ₦2 million, with the runners-up receiving ₦1 million.

Beyond the financial rewards, the competition is expected to provide participating clubs with valuable match experience ahead of the new Nigeria National League (NNL) and Nationwide League One (NLO) campaigns.

Organisers have also disclosed that European scouts are expected to monitor the tournament, offering players an opportunity to attract attention and potentially secure opportunities abroad.

The maiden edition features 10 teams divided into two groups of five, with each side scheduled to play four group-stage matches. The winners of Groups A and B will advance to the final on Saturday, October 24, to determine the tournament’s first champions.

The Main Organising Committee (MOC), through its General Coordinator, Tunde Shamsudeen, has circulated the competition schedule to participating clubs and the media.

The committee has urged the teams to prepare adequately while maintaining discipline, fair play and professionalism throughout the tournament.

The competition is designed to address the limited pre-season opportunities often available to lower-league clubs compared with their counterparts in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

Venue Changes Precede Kick-Off

The tournament’s preparations have included changes to the original venue.

Organisers initially scheduled the competition for the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta but subsequently moved it following a reported scheduling conflict involving Rangers International FC’s CAF Champions League commitments.

A proposed relocation to Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne was also unsuccessful because of scheduling clashes involving El-Kanemi Warriors’ CAF Confederation Cup engagement and the Super Falcons.

FC Ebedei Stadium will now host the competition, with organisers hoping the tournament will become a useful platform for clubs to assess their squads and strengthen their preparations.

Ten Clubs Divided Into Two Groups

Group A comprises Grassrunners Jnr., FC Ebedei, Eko United, Sunshine Stars and Dokkal Khairu.

Group B features Ebedei Sports College, Grassrunners FC, Crown FC, Ikorodu City FA and Stormers SC.

The group winners will meet in the final, with both finalists guaranteed financial rewards and medals. The champions will also receive the winners’ trophy.

As the countdown to kick-off continues, the participating clubs will seek to combine preparations for their league campaigns with the opportunity to claim the maiden AFH pre-season title and showcase their players to potential overseas recruiters.

European Scouts Expected as 10 Clubs Target AFH Pre-Season Title

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