FC Babington Claim Ex-Internationals Cup Glory in Lagos

Posted : 24 August 2026

FC Babington have emerged champions of the 2026 Bet9ja Foundation Ex-Internationals Cup after producing a strong second-half performance to defeat FC Enegwea 3-1 in the final.

The victory earned Babington the giant championship trophy and a ₦2.5 million cash prize at the presentation ceremony, bringing an exciting grassroots competition organised by the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) to a close.

Babington took the initiative in the 29th minute when Shola Ayomiposi calmly converted his chance to give his team the lead.

Enegwea responded 10 minutes later after Oladipupo Emmanuel reacted quickest to a spill by Babington goalkeeper Michael Atata, firing the loose ball into the net to level the contest.

The teams went into the break on equal terms, but Babington regained the advantage in the 65th minute through Abayomi Ayodeji.

Ayodeji held off Enegwea goalkeeper Abdul Omotoshi before finding the net to restore Babington’s lead.

Enegwea pushed forward in search of another equaliser, but their hopes were effectively ended seven minutes from regulation time when substitute Malik Anah punished another goalkeeping mistake.

Anah reacted quickest after Omotoshi spilled the ball in the 83rd minute and made no mistake with the finish, giving Babington a two-goal cushion that they protected until the final whistle.

The champions had earlier announced their title credentials with a 9-0 aggregate demolition of FC Giwa in the quarter-finals before edging FC Alloy 4-3 on aggregate in the semi-finals.

Enegwea also reached the final on the back of an impressive run, defeating FC Okpara 7-4 on aggregate in their semi-final.

The Ex-Internationals Cup, organised by the LSFA under the leadership of Chairman Hajji Gafar Olawale Liameed with support from the Bet9ja Foundation, goes beyond competition for silverware.

The initiative was established to celebrate former Nigerian internationals, reconnect the legends with the communities where their football journeys began and give young footballers an opportunity to develop through competitive grassroots football.

The 2026 edition featured teams linked to 32 former Nigerian internationals, who served as patrons and mentors throughout the competition. The tournament also incorporated a welfare programme aimed at supporting the former stars.

As part of that initiative, organisers announced a ₦16 million welfare package for the 32 ex-internationals, highlighting the broader objective of the competition.

The successful conclusion of the tournament therefore provided more than a championship celebration, bringing together former stars, emerging players, administrators and sponsors in a shared celebration of Nigerian football.

For FC Babington, however, the spotlight belonged to the players, who capped their impressive campaign by becoming the 2026 Bet9ja Foundation Ex-Internationals Cup champions.

FC Babington Claim Ex-Internationals Cup Glory in Lagos

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