The Samuel Okwaraji Foundation has confirmed that the Southern Zonal Eliminations for the inaugural FirstBank Sam Okwaraji Nigeria Secondary Schools Football Championship will run from November 3 to 7 in Owerri, Calabar and Lagos.

South-East fixtures will be staged at Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri. The South-South event is set for U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar, while the South-West qualifiers will take place at Nathaniel Idowu Sports Complex, popularly known as Maracana, in Lagos.

Quick facts

• Southern qualifiers: November 3-7 in Owerri, Calabar and Lagos.
• Two schools from each southern zone will advance to the national finals in Lagos later in November.
• Finalists will be joined by two representatives each from the North-East, North-West and North-Central.
• The northern qualifying events have already been held in Bauchi, Kano and Abuja.

Each of the three southern regions will send two teams to the national finals, which are due to be held in Lagos later this month. They will line up alongside two qualifiers from each of the North-East, North-West and North-Central zones.

Northern zonal competition has already been completed. Bauchi hosted the North-East eliminations, Kano staged the North-West matches and Abuja welcomed teams from the North-Central region.

The tournament is being delivered by the foundation alongside the Nigeria School Sports Federation and the National Sports Commission. FirstBank of Nigeria Limited is backing the event in memory of former Super Eagles midfielder Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji.

Okwaraji died on August 12, 1989, when he collapsed during Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying match against Angola at the National Stadium in Lagos.

Organisers said the championship seeks to uphold his values of patriotism, learning and service to others. It is also intended to strengthen grassroots football, identify emerging players, foster unity through sport and steer secondary-school students away from social misconduct.

Preparations covering match venues, security, medical support, refereeing and player welfare have been put in place in partnership with the relevant host sports commissions and state football associations.

Supporters, students, alumni bodies and other interested groups have been encouraged to attend in strong numbers, particularly across Imo, Cross River and Lagos states, to back the competing schools.

The organisers praised FirstBank’s support as an important commitment to youth development, education and national progress. They also called on other businesses and financial institutions to provide support for the initiative.