The 7th edition of the Cohesion Football Tournament officially commenced on Saturday, November 29, 2025, with the draw held at E-Centre, Yaba, Lagos.
The event brought together coaches, team representatives, community stakeholders, media partners, and volunteers, setting the tone for what is expected to be the most competitive and inspiring edition of the tournament to date.
This year’s tournament, which will feature 30 Under-15 male teams, 10 Under-13 male teams, and eight female teams, is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, December 17, and Thursday, December 18, 2025.
Speaking during the draw, the convener of the tournament, Damilare Obagbemi, reflected on the journey so far and shared his optimism for 2025: “With every edition, we see more talent, more hope, and more communities believing in the power of football to change lives. As we prepare for the 7th edition, we remain committed to giving these young athletes a platform to shine, grow, and dream bigger.”
He added, “We are proud of how far we have come since 2019. What started as a simple initiative has evolved into one of the major youth tournaments in the state, one that transcends the beautiful game to build character, unity, and opportunity. We can’t wait to see the excitement, passion and spirit of competition light up the field once again.”
Also speaking at the draw, the Vice Chairman, Lagos State Football Association, Mr Dotun Coker, said: “We are excited to see an event focused on discovering and developing young talents, as this aligns deeply with our commitment to youth growth and empowerment. You can count on our continued support for your tournament.”
The draw event also featured a special highlight, the presentation of prize money to the winners of the maiden edition of the Cohesion Challenge Football Game Show.
Adegbaju Samuel clinched the top spot, earning a cash prize of ₦250,000, while Timileyin Awokoya secured second place and received ₦150,000. Their achievements added excitement and celebration to the day, further showcasing the growing opportunities the tournament continues to create for young talents.
Since its inaugural edition in December 2019, when only 12 teams from Mushin and Surulere LGAs participated, the Cohesion Football Tournament has grown steadily, both in scale and influence.
By the 5th edition in 2023, the tournament had expanded to 42 teams, including the historic introduction of 10 female teams, broadening opportunities for young girls to showcase their talent.
In the 6th edition (2024), the competition featured 44 teams, a mix of boys’ and girls’ teams, thereby reaffirming its commitment to gender inclusion and youth development.
This year’s season will feature 48 teams including 8 female teams across local government areas in Lagos. The draw is not only a symbolic gesture to begin the new season but a reaffirmation of the tournament’s mission: to provide underserved grass root teams from various communities across Lagos and Ogun States with a structured, positive platform to harness their talents, build character, and embrace values like teamwork, discipline, and leadership.
For continuous updates and more information, please visit cohesionafrica.com and follow Cohesion Football Tournament on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
