White Tigers Keep Lagos Island 5‑Aside Crown in Spires Tournament

The Ikoye Recreational Park buzzed with excitement on Saturday as White Tigers Football Club claimed the Spires 5‑Aside Naija Street Soccer divisional title on Lagos Island.

Coach Emmanuel Olom guided the team to a 5‑2 victory over Greater Tomorrow FC in a high‑scoring final, securing the crown for the third consecutive season.

In the losers’ final, Alphas Football Club edged Dolphin FC 3‑2 on penalties after a 3‑3 draw in regulation time.

Dr. Bankole Allibay, the tournament’s founder, said the divisional championship had been a success and that he aims to raise the competition to a state‑level event.

“It’s exciting to note that we have redefined 5‑Aside football in the West African sub‑region. Our projection is to make this tournament the most commercially viable not only in Nigeria but also in the continent,” Allibay said.

“We are set for the state championship and every other event that will be held in the course of the tournament, most importantly the Sports Meet‑Tech initiative which is aimed at building the players for life outside the football pitch. The Spires 5‑Aside is not just a football tournament but a deliberate propeller of young people to greater opportunities,” he added.

White Tigers FC took home N500,000 as champions, Greater Tomorrow received N300,000 as runners‑up, and Alphas Football Club earned N100,000 for third place. Ajo Azeez of White Tigers was awarded the top‑scorer prize of N50,000 after scoring six goals in three matches.

The three teams will represent the Lagos Island division at the state championship in November 2026.

Following successful divisional championships in Ikorodu, Epe, and Lagos Island, the Spires 5‑Aside tour will continue to Ikeja and Badagry in the coming weeks.