The 40th edition of the Ramat Cup International, organised by the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON), reaches its penultimate stage today, Friday, 15 August 2025, at the Lafia City Stadium, Nasarawa State, with two blockbuster semi-final fixtures expected to light up the competition.

The day’s action will kick off at 8:00am with an explosive clash between Kwara and Kaduna. Kwara, who have displayed remarkable attacking flair since the group stage, will be aiming to maintain their unbeaten run and secure a ticket to the final. Kaduna, on the other hand, are banking on their solid defensive record and clinical counter-attacks to upset the high-flying Kwara side.

At 9:15am, attention will shift to the second semi-final as Benue face Enugu in what promises to be a battle of grit and determination. Benue have impressed with their disciplined midfield play and sharp finishing, while Enugu have emerged as one of the tournament’s surprise packages, showing resilience and fighting spirit to reach this stage.

Tournament organisers say preparations have been made to ensure smooth proceedings, with football fans in Lafia and neighbouring towns expected to troop to the stadium in large numbers to witness the decisive encounters.

The winners of today’s matches will progress to Sunday’s grand finale, where they will battle for the coveted Ramat Cup trophy, while the losers will feature in the third-place match.

The Ramat Cup International, which has produced several Nigerian football stars over the decades, continues to serve as a platform for discovering and nurturing young talents across the country and beyond.