Eight NPL Clubs To Feature In 2nd ValueJet Preseason Tourney

Eight NPL Clubs To Feature In 2nd ValueJet Preseason Tourney

By Gbenga Gboyega

The organizers of the ValueJet Cup, a pre-season football tournament in Nigeria have released an official statement for its 2nd edition proposed to take place between the 4th and 10th of August 2023, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The inaugural edition took place in 2022 with Remo Stars crowned as champions after defeating Smart City 3-0 in the final, and may have the Naija Super 8 championship finalists feature in the second edition in a row if invited by the organizers to grace the championship.

This would be the second pre-season tournament to be organized in the summer before the commencement of the 2023-24 League campaign both domestically and on the continent following the advent of the Naija Super 8.

The ValueJet Cup is proudly sponsored by the owners of ValueJet Airline, a private domestic Nigeria airline, led by Remo Stars Chief - Kunle Soname, and is prepared to host eight invited Nigeria Premier League Clubs.

Unlike the Naija Super 8, the participating clubs are solely dependent on the organizers, however, the organizers are open to suggestions made by the fans via their social media page.

Contained in the full statement as released via the ValueJet Cup platform, the pre-season tournament aims to aid the club's preparations for the new Premier League season, and continental duties simultaneously.

"The 2023 ValueJet Cup will take place in August at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne, Ogun State with the participation of top Nigeria Premier League clubs.

"The offseason football tournament which was designed to prepare clubs for the new NPFL season and continental tournaments will kickoff on August 4th with the grand finale scheduled for August 10th.

"The Chairman of the ValueJet Cup Organizing Committee, Otunba Tade Azeez has said; eight (8) clubs will participate in this year's tournament in Ikenne, Ogun State," the statement read.

Furthermore, Azeez also stated the mode of communication between the organizers and each invited club, consisting of participants in the CAF Champions League, CAF Confederation Cup, and other top Nigeria Premier League clubs.

"We have invited eight clubs for the tournament and the communication with the clubs has been positive. The list of the invited clubs includes those that will compete in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup alongside top NPFL clubs.

"We are looking forward to the second edition of the ValueJet Cup, the maiden edition last year was glamorous. Our objective is to create a competitive tournament for the clubs and help them prepare for the 2023/2024 NPFL season and continental tournaments.

"We want to appreciate our sponsor ValueJet airline for contributing to the growth of domestic football in Nigeria. We can't wait to connect with the football community in Ogun State this year, the support we got from the football fans last season was overwhelming," Azeez added.