Financial giants, Moniepoint Microfinance Bank, have announced that the maiden edition of the Monieball 5-a-side football will be played from the 8th of October until the 31st of October, 2025, where the finals will be played at the Legacy Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
The competition will involve eight universities, namely, the University of Ilorin (hosts), the University of Calabar, the University of Ibadan, Abia State University, Adekunle Ajasin University, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, and Federal University, Oye-Ekiti.
Each contingent is expected to consist of 10 players (four outfield players, 1 goalkeeper, and five substitutes) plus five team officials. Each half will be 25 minutes apiece with 5-minute intervals as halftime.
Regarding the format, the competition will be played in a round robin format, with the eight universities already split into two groups. The University of Ibadan is in Group B alongside Adekunle Ajasin University, the Federal University of Agriculture, and the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti. The other four universities make up Group A. Adekunle Ajasin University hosts the premier university for its first game on Wednesday, the 15th of October.
Keep in mind that Moniepoint MfB signed a partnership deal with Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen just last month. “This varsity competition is part of the rollout of Moniepoint’s own contribution to the development of sports in Nigeria,” said Anastacia Igbokidi, Head of Brand at Moniepoint MfB, in a press conference with journalists in Lagos.
Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA) Technical Chairman, Professor Musa Garba Yakasai, also assured that officiating at the competition will be top-notch, as they will all be from the NUGA’s Referees Association. It was also stated that only U-25 players will be allowed to play in the competition, and on the final day of the competition, officials and scouts from the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, would be present to scout for players.
