2025 C' River Governor's Cup Kicks-Off November 15... See Draws, Match Centers
By Missang Akpet
The draws for the 2025 Governor's Cup competition in the state have been held with the 18 local government areas in the state divided into 4 groups.
The 4 groups, according to the Cross River State Football Association (CRSFA), will be playing in 4 centers across the state, namely Ikom, Ogoja, Calabar, and Akpabuyo, beginning from November 15 with the finals to be played at the UJ Esuene Stadium on December 15.
Group A, consisting of Boki Rainforest, Cocoa Giants of Etung, Yala United FC, and Bekwara United, will be playing at Government Secondary School Ikot Ewa field in Akpabuyo, while Group B, which has Leopard FC of Calabar, Odukpani Crackers, Abi Waves, Atlantic Warriors of Bakassi, and Akpabuyo United, will be playing at the Ikom township stadium with Government Secondary School Ikom (GOVISCO) field in Ikom as an alternative.
Meanwhile, Black Cats of Ogoja, Obubra United, Ranch Pillars of Obanliku, Hilltop of Obudu, and Ekabokon Stars of Ikom, who make up Group C, will play their matches at the Hope Waddel Training Institute Field, with St. Patricks College field Ikot Ansa, Calabar, as an alternative, while Group D, with Anantigha Warriors, Yakurr United, Biase United, and Akamkpa United, will be hosted at the Hill Cross field in Ogoja.
Briefing newsmen after the draws, the Chairman of the CRSFA, Apostle Essien Ayi, said this year's tourney, tagged 'Season of Sweet Football', is restricted to only local government areas teams, as against last year, where private teams were allowed to participate in the tournament.
He explained that this was in a bid to encourage grassroots football and discover talents across the 18 local government areas in the state.
Speaking during the draws, the First Vice Chairman of the CRSFA, Mr. Great Abang, explained that the FA had to pair the teams to play in 4 centers across the 3 senatorial districts in a bid to encourage unity and bonding, hinting that each team will be allowed to feature 4 professional players, while only 3 out of the 4 can feature in a particular match.
He further explained that the state FA is putting modalities in place to organize a separate competition for the private teams, which will run alongside the
Governor's Cup.
