Semi finalists have emerged in the 8th edition of the annual Ifeanyi Ekwueme Tico/Select Preseason Tournament, in Enugu.
After the conclusion of quarter finals matches on Sunday at the green-lush St Patrick’s College, Emene, Ingas FC and Abakaliki Fc sealed their places in the semi finals following victories over Diana Emi and Udi Stars respectively.
Ingas edged Diana Emi 1-0 in their quarter final match on Sunday after Abakaliki FC had earlier dispatched Udi Stars 2-0.
Ingas and Abakaliki FC will now join Rangers, who had 24-hours earlier walked over Great Achievers FC who did not turn up for their quarter final fixture versus the Coal City Flying Antelopes.
Flight FC, Benue State pulled the major upset of the 2026,Tico/Select Preseason Tournament following a shock 1-0 triumph over NPFL side, Doma United, in one of the quarter final matches on Saturday.
Following the conclusion of the quarter finals matches Sunday evening, organisers rolled out the semi finals fixtures billed to hold at same St Patrick’s College, Emene, on Monday, 10 August, 2026.
According to the fixtures, Rangers will lock horns with Abakaliki FC at 1.30pm while Ingas take on Flight FC at 3.30pm.
Winners of the semi final clashes will fight for the ultimate prize at same venue on Wednesday 12 August, 2026, after Tuesday, 11 August had been declared ‘rest day’ by the organisers.
Before the start of the 2026 Ifeanyi Ekwueme Tico/Select Preseason Tournament, organisers disclosed that all group and quarter finals matches would be decided in Enugu while the semis and final will hold at Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.
But after the conclusion of group games, the organisers effected a slight change in the semi and final matches venue, opting to have the games concluded in Enugu.
This, the Tournament Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Ifeanyi Ekwueme, a former Super Eagles winger, explained, was to stick with the wide acceptance and attention the tournament has received by the football freaks in the Coal City State.
“You can see how ecstatic the fans are. Just imagine the number and the way they root for the game”, Ekwueme, a former Sporting Director of Enyimba said.
“We considered their feelings and decided to have the tournament concluded here. Besides, there’s also the logistics part of it. May be, next time, we can see how we can compensate our Owerri fans who may have waited patiently to watch the last three matches of the tournament, — semi finals and final, — in the Arugo City”, Ekwueme explained.
Kingsley Obiekwu, a former Nigeria International and Head Coach of Ingas FC, has heaped praises on the organisers of the annual Ifeanyi Ekwueme Tico/Select Preseason Tournament for helping coaches assess their new players before the start of a new season.
“I must commend Ifeanyi Ekwueme for organising the Tico/Select Preseason Tournament. Such a Tournament helps coaches to assess the fitness level of their players, assess tha adaptability of the new players to coaches philosophy and to some extent, serve as a recruitment platform for some club coaches.
“For me, it’s wonderful and a huge sacrifice, given the cost implications. But overall, its a commendable one but I must advise that going forward, he should ensure that graded referees are saddled with the conduct of the matches”, Obiekwu, who is fondly called ‘Shagari’ stressed.
