Samuel Okwaraji Memoir Cup playoffs set for November 2026

The Southern Zonal playoffs of the Samuel Okwaraji Foundation national secondary schools football competition, known as the Memoir Cup, will be hosted in Lagos, Owerri, and Calabar from November 3 to November 7, 2026. The matches will occur at the Maracana Stadium in Lagos, the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, and the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

Senator Osita Izunazo, the chairman of the organising committee, announced that these playoffs are the second stage of the national championship, following state finals held earlier in the year. The three zonal champions from the southern region will compete alongside three champions from the Northern Zonal playoffs in the national finals in Lagos later in November.

The Nigeria School Sport Federation, represented by its President Olabisi Joseph, confirmed readiness for the playoffs, emphasizing the thorough and transparent systems in place to discover football talents in secondary schools. The competition is sponsored by First Bank and commemorates Super Eagles player Samuel Okwaraji, who died during a match on August 12, 1989.