Four more teams have marched on in the 1xCup 2026 following Saturday’s games which produced three wins, one dramatic penalty-shootout triumph and a total of eight goals, averaging two per match. The latest round of matches in the 1xCup 2026 qualifiers featured closely fought contests across the Epe, Ikeja and Lagos Island zones, with teams battling for valuable points and momentum in Nigeria’s premier grassroots football competition.
In the first action of the day, Newhope Naija FC edged out a hard-fought 1-0 triumph against Luther Inter FC in their Epe Zone encounter. The match was decided by a solitary goal scored by Moshood Idris with the midfielder netting in the 17th minute courtesy of an assist from Abdulleetef Bamidele as Newhope Naija held firm to claim all three points.
Maryland United FC and Austenplus FC produced one of the day’s most entertaining encounters in the Ikeja Zone, battling to a 1-1 draw after regulation time. Onyedikachi Martins Ohia put Maryland United FC ahead in the 26th minute while Soliu Jamiu Adisa equalised for Austenplus FC with forward hitting the back of the net in the 38th minute.
With neither side able to find a winner within the regulation time, the tie went into penalties, and Maryland United showed greater composure to prevail 5-3. Young Strikers FC continued their impressive start to the Lagos Island Zone campaign after coming from behind to secure a 3-1 victory over Africano FC.
Africano opened the scoring through substitute, Ajibade Pelumi, with the forward netting in the 34th minute, only nine minutes after coming on to replace fellow attacker, Iyaomiye Festus Ololajulo. Young Strikers netted their equalising goal through Lawal Muiz in the 40th minute while Samson Emmanuel who had earlier replaced Anya Patrick in the 45th minute put his side 2-1 ahead in the