The semi-final stage of the 14th Gold Cup Pre-Season Tournament takes centre stage today, Wednesday, at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, Ogun State, with four teams battling for places in the final.
Nationwide League One side and group-stage leaders Grassrunners FC face Sunshine Stars in the opening semi-final at 10am, while Abakaliki FC will take on NPFL side Ikorodu City in the second encounter at 2pm.
Grassrunners have emerged as the only unbeaten team in the competition, winning four and drawing one of their five league-phase matches. They scored eight goals and conceded just two, underlining their impressive defensive and attacking form.
The newcomers sealed their place in the last four with a convincing 3-1 victory over Dokkal Khairu in their final league fixture and will now face a Sunshine Stars side determined to secure a place in the final.
In the second semi-final, Abakaliki FC will look to build on their impressive run when they meet Ikorodu City. The De Rice Boys have earned their place among the tournament’s final four and will face a stern test against an Ikorodu City team with significant attacking quality.
Ikorodu City, however, enter the semi-final following consecutive defeats against Abakaliki FC and Doma United and will be keen to respond strongly when it matters most.
With a place in the Gold Cup 2026 final at stake, both semi-finals promise a compelling contest between established top-flight opposition and ambitious sides looking to make their mark on the tournament.
