By admin 
Inspire Sports Academy defeated Diadem Stallion FC 3-1 in the round of 32 in the ongoing 1xCup 2025 to secure a place in the group stage of the tournament.
1xCup is an annual community football tournament sponsored by 1Xbet, and the 2025 edition is the third edition of the biggest grassroots tournament in Nigeria.
The match took place Tuesday the 29th, July 2025 at the Inspire Sports Arena in Oshodi-Lagos, by 12:00 PM local time.
On match day five in the round of 64, Inspire Sports Academy defeated Power Rangers FC 8-0, while Diadem Stallions FC defeated Backnor FC 4-2 on penalties after they played 1-1 at the end of regulation time on match day two.
Both teams started the game on the front foot with high expectations; the atmosphere was electrifying as the fans of Inspire Sports Academy came out in large numbers to support their team.
The first half ended 0-0, as neither side could gain the upper hand despite their best efforts.
Jersey number 11, Kehinde Hammed broke the deadlock in the third minute at the start of the second half to give Inspire Sports Academy the lead when he nodded the ball in the opponent’s box from a well-delivered cross.
Diadem Stallion FC’s goalkeeper Yusuf Oladejo produced a fantastic save to deny James O. (jersey number 7) the opportunity to double the lead for Inspire Sports Academy, but he could not stop Kehinde Hammed, who scored his second goal of the match, 15 minutes into the second half to double Inspire Sport Academy’s lead.
Diadem Stallions FC managed to pull one back, igniting the game, thanks to Azeez Habib, who wore jersey number 13. However, James F. (jersey number 9) responded by scoring the third goal for his team before the center referee brought the match to a close.
I’m delighted I scored a brace in today’s game but more delighted that we qualified for the group stage of this prestigious tournament
Kehinde Hammed disclosed to futebol.com.ng in a post-match interview: “The first half was difficult for us in front of the opponent area because they defended very well, but we give God all the glory for allowing us to score three goals in the second half.”
Inspire Sports Academy, along with fifteen other teams that will qualify from the round of 32, will join the four finalists from the previous edition of the 1xCup. This will create a total of 20 teams, which will be divided into four groups, each consisting of five teams.
The winner of the 2025 edition of the 1xCup will receive ten million naira, while the second and third runners-up will take home five million and three million naira, respectively.