The battle for the ultimate prize of this year’s Zenith Bank/ Delta Principals’ Cup will continue with schools taking to the field in the quarters stage of the competition.

The football competition which is sponsored by Zenith Bank PLC has entered a crucial stage from the zonal playoffs decided last week in various centres across the state.

It is recorded that over 1,000 secondary schools registered for the annual youth developmental initiative, which is in its 8th edition. The kick off took place on September 18 in Asaba, Delta State and it is now in the final stages with only eight teams still on the cards gunning for the ultimate winners’ trophy.

The teams took part in the preparation at the LG level, with only one school winning the sole LG ticket to feature in the zonals.

After the exciting zonal hostilities, Ika North East, Aniocha South, Isoko South, Warri South West, Ndokwa West, Uvwie, Ughelli North and Ughelli South qualified for the last eight stage.

In the grouping released by the organisers, Hideaplus Limited, Efeizomor Secondary School, Owa, representing Ika North East, will clash with Justice, Peace and Success Sec. School, winners of the Aniocha South LG, at the St. Patrick College, Asaba.

The rest of the matches are billed to take place on Tuesday, October 7.

The CEO of Hideaplus Limited, Tony Pemu, told newsmen that all was set for the final stages of the competition.

“It is getting more interesting. The teams in the last eight are all very good, and we expect things to get better as we move on further,” Pemu said.