Delta’s Football Fever: 1,000+ Schools Gear Up For Zenith Bank Principals’ Cup Showdown
THE countdown has begun for one of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football tournaments as the 2025 Zenith Bank/Delta Principals’ Cup kicks off on Wednesday 18 September, with over 1,000 secondary schools set to compete for glory.
The official opening ceremony will take place at St. Patrick College, Asaba, where Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, will perform the symbolic kick-off to flag off the eighth edition of the tournament.
Widespread Participation Across Delta
Registration, which ran from 8 to 12 September, saw a record number of schools sign up, further cementing the Principals’ Cup as the most celebrated youth football competition in the state.
In Warri South West LGA, 11 schools are confirmed, with the opening match on 22 September featuring Agogboro Secondary School against Ikpere Secondary School.
Warri South boasts an impressive 24 participating schools, where Obodo Secondary School will take on Nana College in the curtain-raiser.
Ukwani LGA leads with 31 teams, as Amai Secondary School faces Ezionum Secondary School in the opener. Meanwhile, in Bomadi LGA, 16 schools will clash in fixtures scheduled from 22 to 26 September.
Organisers also confirmed that nine local governments have registered technical colleges for the first time in the tournament’s history, marking a significant expansion of the competition.
Tournament Structure and Road to Glory
All preliminary fixtures will begin at 2 p.m. daily, with player screening conducted before kick-off to ensure fairness.
From the preliminaries, successful teams will advance to the zonal rounds across eight centres between 30 September and 2 October. The final eight schools will then contest the quarter-finals on 7 October, with venues to be decided based on the location of qualifying teams.
Beyond the Trophy
The Principals’ Cup has become more than just a school football tournament; it is now a talent factory, offering young footballers a platform to showcase their skills in front of scouts, coaches, and state officials. For many players, it represents the first step toward professional careers in football.
With Zenith Bank’s sustained sponsorship and Delta State’s commitment to youth sports, the 2025 edition promises to be the most exciting yet, with passion, rivalry, and raw talent set to light up pitches across the state.
