The Cathedral will roar this Sunday as New Haven Allstars take on Nlacha Aka FC in the final of the inaugural Boolu Ogbe 40 & Above 2025 Benz Klinik Cup — Enugu’s newest and biggest football showcase for veterans.
Kickoff is set for 4 pm on 22 June at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, and anticipation is sky-high for what promises to be a thrilling finale to a tournament that has already captured the imagination of the city.
Nlacha Aka FC have been the standout attacking side of the competition, bagging 10 goals in five matches and conceding only 3.
Their campaign began with a goalless draw against their final opponents but quickly turned explosive with a 5-2 demolition of St Luke’s Allstars.
In the knockouts, they brushed aside Agbani Road, Okpara Square, and Elders FC to book a place in the final. Their main man, Ugonna Anyaora, leads the top scorers’ chart with 4 goals, while Onyeudo Bishop has chipped in with 3.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE ATHLETIC NG WHATSAPP CHANNEL
New Haven Allstars, meanwhile, have carved a different path — one of grit, structure, and nerve.
After a convincing 3-1 win over St Lukes in the group stage and a 0-0 against Nlacha Aka, they edged past New Orient on penalties in the round of 16 (2-2, 4-2 pens), defeated Winners FC 1-0 in the quarter-finals, and once again held their nerve in the semis against Benz Klinik FC (1-1, 4-2 pens).
READ MORE: Ezeaku pushes Rangers youth agenda global with International football academy visit
Despite scoring fewer goals (7), they’ve proved defensively robust and mentally resolute — attributes that could prove crucial on the final day.
Head-to-Head: Stalemate to Statement?
The only previous meeting between the two finalists — a 0-0 group-stage draw — offers little to separate them. But Sunday’s final is expected to be anything but quiet.
Goals scored: Nlacha Aka (10) | New Haven (7)
Goals conceded: Nlacha Aka (3) | New Haven (4)
Clean sheets: Both teams – 2
Shootout wins: New Haven – 2 | Nlacha Aka – 0
The contrast is clear: one team flying forward, the other holding the line.
Photo Credit: Boolu Ogbe
This is more than just a football final. As the first edition of the Boolu Ogbe 40 & Above Benz Klinik Cup, it represents a growing platform for veterans to reconnect through sport, foster camaraderie, and relive the passion of the beautiful game.
Match Info:
Fixture: New Haven Allstars vs Nlacha Aka FC
Date: Sunday, 22 June 2025
Venue: Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu
Time: 4:00 PM
