By Effiong Nyong 23.10.2026
The final game of the 37th edition of the Apapa Ajegunle Mock African Cup of Nations will take centre stage on Sunday November 1, 2026, at the Nigerian Navy field Ajegunle, Lagos State.
Somalia and Tunisia, the finalists are set to thriller lovers of grassroots football in the event that has seen to the rise of many Nigerian football stars.
The inaugural tournament was held almost ten years after Nigeria won its maiden continental title; a gold medal in the football event of the 1973 2nd All Africa games in Lagos. By 1980 when Nigeria won its first African Cup of Nations tournament title, the football consciousness of the country blossomed, and many youngsters started developing interest in the game.
This followed the experience and exposure of youngsters to emerging football superstars like Sunday Oyarekua , Haruna Ilerika who was lifted from the principal cup representing Zumuratul Islamiyah Grammar School, Martins Eyo who took after his senior brother Tony and several others.
The football bug was catching on, particularly in Ajegunle area of Lagos. So, in 1982 despite the flop of the green eagles at the African Cup of Nations, some young boys led by Jay Kay who was a footballer grouped together and played a tournament of four teams and tagged it African Cup of Nations.
They did this for a few years till 1986 when a young man called Obiri Tex joined them and renamed the competition Apapa Youth Football Association Mock African Nations Cup competition.
He also brought together other young football enthusiasts such as Hyacinth, Morgan and Lucky Abamowei, these four men laid the foundation of what has now become the oldest grassroots football tournament in Nigeria.
Later in order to accommodate more members for ease of organization and implementation some other individuals were brought in especially from the Nigerian Navy and so Lawrence Alabra who was Naval personnel was admitted to handle security and ticketing, since the games were played at the Nigerian Navy field Ajegunle. And Mr. White a badged referee was also admitted to handle officiating.
And so, the Apapa Ajegunle Mock African Cup of Nations tournament was officially born, and the 1982 tournament had 32 teams. And after about two editions Chief Amasumo and Sikiru Ashimi were brought in to strengthen the management of the tournament.
Today, the management team of the Apapa Ajegunle Mock African Cup of Nations is led by Coach Isaac Siawe chairman, Sikiru Ashimi vice chairman, Abayomi Bolarinwa secretary, Lucky Abamowei tournament manager, Tirimisiyu Sukanmi Fajubi Treasurer, Charles Agbaga assistant Secretary and Raphael Asiemo.
Apapa Ajeunle Mock Nations Cup moments...