The stage is now set for a captivating finale in the 2026 Bet9ja Foundation Ex-Internationals Cup after FC Enegwea and FC Babington emerged victorious from two fiercely contested semi-final encounters to book their places in the championship match.
At the iconic Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, FC Babington survived a spirited challenge from FC Alloy as the second-leg semi-final ended in an entertaining 2-2 draw. Despite being held on the day, Bode Babington’s side progressed to the final courtesy of a hard-fought 4-3 aggregate victory.
The encounter delivered plenty of drama and attacking football, with both teams battling relentlessly for a place in the tournament’s showpiece event. However, FC Babington’s first-leg advantage ultimately proved decisive as they held firm to secure their passage into the final.
Meanwhile, at Gospel City Sports Complex, Taiwo Enegwea’s FC Enegwea continued their impressive run in the competition with a 2-1 victory over FC Okpara, completing a commanding 7-4 aggregate triumph.
FC Enegwea made a dream start to the contest when Dan Azumi rose highest to head home from a corner kick in the seventh minute, punishing a moment of hesitation in the FC Okpara defence.
The response from FC Okpara was immediate. Just three minutes later, Dauda Taiwo restored parity after reacting quickest to a loose ball inside the penalty area following another set-piece situation, bringing the score to 1-1 and narrowing the aggregate deficit.
With both sides pushing for control, the decisive moment arrived in the 67th minute. FC Enegwea were awarded a penalty after Ikechukwu Emma was brought down inside the box by Isaac Peter. Gani Olaniyan stepped up and confidently dispatched the spot-kick into the roof of the net, sealing victory and sparking celebrations among the Enegwea faithful.
The result confirmed FC Enegwea’s place in the final, where they will face FC Babington in what promises to be a compelling showdown between two of the tournament’s most consistent performers.
Tournament organisers have announced that details regarding the final match date, kick-off time and associated activities will be communicated in the coming days.
As the tournament approaches its climax, the quality of performances, competitive intensity and growing fan engagement continue to underline its importance within Nigeria’s football development ecosystem.
Since its inception, the Bet9ja Foundation Ex-Internationals Cup has continued to strengthen grassroots football development in Nigeria by providing emerging talents with a competitive platform to showcase their abilities before scouts, coaches and football stakeholders.
The organisers also extended their appreciation to title sponsors Bet9ja Foundation, participating teams, match officials, media partners and supporters whose contributions have played a significant role in the success of the competition.
With FC Babington and FC Enegwea now one step away from glory, attention turns to the grand finale where only one team will be crowned champions of the 2026 Bet9ja Foundation Ex-Internationals Cup.
