By Amaechi Agbo
The Akure Township Stadium was a cauldron of excitement and talent on August 31st as the curtains fell on the highly successful third edition of the D’Royal Offseason Football Tournament (DOFT 2025).
The one-month-long tournament, which lived up to its “No Risk It, No Biscuits” mantra, successfully showcased the depth of football talent in Ondo State, unearthing new stars and providing a platform for healthy competition and entertainment.
This year’s edition was marked by its unpredictability, as established giants Weliweli FC and Alagbaka FC were unexpectedly knocked out in the group stages. This paved the way for emerging teams like Olukayode FC, Shine F.A, and Signature FC to announce their arrival on the big stage.
The grand finale was a testament to resilience, as Olukayode FC overcame a numerical disadvantage for most of the match to defeat Shine F.A 1-0 in a tightly contested encounter.
Beyond the pitch, the event was a resounding success. With a total prize pool of over N1.3 million distributed to teams and individual award winners, the tournament provided significant economic incentive for local football. The finale was further glamorized by captivating performances from Ageless Cheerleaders, J29 Crew, and musician Huntar.
The President/CEO of DOFT, Mr. Olaniboji Mathew, thanked the thousands of fans and praised sponsors Betja Foundation and H&B Global Sports for their belief in the project. He reiterated his commitment to “birthing, nurturing, and giving the best mileage” to local talents, affirming that the 2026 edition would be “off the roof.”
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