Nigeria to host “Motherland Heritage Cup” in December 2025

By Dayo Awoniyi

Nigeria will host a major international football tournament in December 2025, as 3D Sports unveils plans for the inaugural “Motherland Heritage Cup”, aimed at uniting countries of African descent through sport and cultural exchange.

The invitational tournament, backed by the Nigerian Presidency and endorsed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, is expected to feature national teams representing African diaspora communities from across the globe.

Organisers say the event will serve both as a sporting competition and a celebration of African heritage.

The initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with key objectives including national unity, youth empowerment, cultural promotion, and economic development.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the National Sports Commission (NSC) have pledged full support, while Mr. Jairo Pachon, a FIFA-accredited match agent from Eurodata Sports, has been appointed to coordinate the event in compliance with international standards.

Speaking on behalf of the Presidency, Mr. Adeboye Anthony Adeyinka, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, said the tournament would inspire young Nigerians and bring global attention to local football talent.

“The Motherland Heritage Cup will allow our youth to witness world-class football on Nigerian soil while fostering pride in their African identity,” Adeyinka said.

Project Director Ayodeji Ogunjobi highlighted the tournament’s potential to boost tourism and position Nigeria as a capable host of global sporting events.

“This goes beyond football. It’s a platform for economic activity, cultural celebration, and international recognition,” he stated.

The tournament is expected to include cultural showcases, musical performances, and heritage events alongside the football matches. Details on participating countries and match fixtures will be announced in the coming weeks.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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