Last year, Ikenne-based Beyond Limits Football Academy won the tournament by defeating Centre National Football of Brazzaville, Congo, in a first all-African final.
All four semi-finalists last year were African teams, including two other Nigerian club sides Ojodu City FC and Mavlon FC.
Which Nigerian clubs will play at the Viareggio Cup in 2025?
Ojodu City and Mavlon will return to the tournament that will take place from March 17 to 31 this year. Last year’s winners Beyond Limits have opted out due to what is their inability to raise a strong team for this year’s tournament.
Two newcomers Ijele FC and Magic Stars will participate at the Viareggio Cup.
It is the highest representation of countries from a single country outside of the host country, Italy.
24 teams drawn in six groups of four teams each will play in the tournament that is held on grounds across towns and cities in the Tuscany region, with the final culminating at the Stadio dei Pini in Viareggio on Monday, March 31, the day after Carnival