By: Favour Adeyemi 

The University of Ibadan Students’ Union has announced plans to host the maiden edition of the Interlevel “Carabao” Cup, a football tournament aimed at determining the strongest academic-level team on campus.

The tournament, tagged “The Holiday Showdown,” is designed to bring together teams representing different academic levels across the university.

According to a broadcast from the Office of the Sports Secretary, communicated through the Students’ Union Public Relations Officer, Adekanbi Ezekiel, the competition will kick off on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at the SUB Football Pitch, with matches scheduled to begin by 4PM

Participating teams will be drawn from 100 Level to 600 Level, with postgraduate students also included.

Speaking with IndyPress, the Students’ Union Sports Secretary, Kolawole Victor, described the competition as a response to long-standing debates within the University of Ibadan football community.

“In the football community of the University of Ibadan, there has always been a clamor. The higher levels claim that they have the best squads, and the lower levels claim that they’re just as good, or even better,” he said.

“That has always been a debate on the streets of University of Ibadan football. So instead of keeping it as a debate, the idea is to turn it into a reality.”

Kolawole also noted that the tournament seeks to address questions surrounding the perceived decline in football talent on campus.

“Is football in the University of Ibadan declining over the years? Or is it just that when 400 to 600 level students graduate, people assume the next set isn’t as good or are they even better?”

The debate, he explained, often centres on whether older, graduating sets outperform newer intakes from 100 to 300 level.

Why “Carabao Cup”?

According to Kolawole, the competition is nicknamed the “Carabao Cup” in reference to England’s Cup, which is viewed as a less prestigious but entertaining tournament.

He explained that the UI edition is intended as a post-examination, recreational competition for students who remain on campus during the holiday period.

According to Victor Kolawole, the competition will feature six teams, each representing an academic level from 100 Level to 600 Level and Postgraduate students (combined)

He also mentioned that a specific quota will be allocated for postgraduate students within the 600 Level team.

For the 100 Level team, he added that participation will be open to students from the Distance Learning Centre (DLC), acknowledging that many regular 100 Level students may have left campus.

“This is understanding the fact that most 100 level students would have gone home by now. However, those still in Ibadan will be able to participate,” Kolawole explained.

Speaking on the matches format, Kolawole stated, the tournament will begin with a random draw, pairing teams against each other to produce three opening matches.

With each match lasting 35 minutes per half and the opening round featuring two legs. The three winners will advance to the semi-finals, alongside one best loser.

He further noted that semi-finals and final will be played over a single leg, with no extra time.

The team that emerges victorious will be crowned the best footballing academic level in the University of Ibadan.

Beyond competition, Kolawole noted that the cup also provides an opportunity for the University of Ibadan school team coach to scout talent across all academic levels.

“It’s also done so the UI school team coach can scout, and everyone has the opportunity to express themselves. If you win, there are bragging rights, but it’s mostly for fun.”

The Interlevel Carabao Cup marks the first time such a tournament will be organised at the University of Ibadan.