Sixteen teams from across the United Arab Emirates will this weekend take to the fields of the JA Complex in Dubai, with their sights set on glory, and a place at SuperCupNI 2025!
The qualifying tournament is part of a relationship that SuperCupNI have in place with the Mina Cup in Dubai, which is the brainchild of former tournament graduate Chris Brown.
Last summer, Barca Academy Dubai (pictured above) became the first team to participate at SuperCupNI after the exchange programme was put in place, with the Barca youngsters participating in the Premier tournament.
After discussions between the two tournaments, it was agreed that the winners of the UAE qualifiers would qualify and take up a place in the increasingly competitive Minor (U13) section, which was won by NIFL side Crusaders in 2024.
Interestingly the Shore Road side, who defeated Linfield in the decider at the Coleraine Showgrounds, are now hopeful of taking up a place in the U14 section of the Mina Cup in 2025.
The teams taking to the field this weekend include Barca Academy Dubai, Fursan Hispania, Dubai City, La Liga Dubai, Empire FC, Manchester City Soccer Schools and Inter Milan’s satellite academy based in the UAE.
Tournament management team deputy lead Sam Gamble has said that the relationship with the Mina Cup has been a hugely productive one and it is bearing fruit for both tournaments!
“Over the last 18 months I have been working very closely with the team behind the Mina Cup and they recently held a very successful Mina Cup UK at Norwich City’s training ground.
“They have been instrumental in helping us to open doors to prospective teams for the 2025 tournament and we have been sharing ideas with regards to recruitment, volunteering opportunities and logistics and it is has been a very fruitful relationship thus far”.
The Mina Cup qualifiers take place between 1-2 November, with the final taking place on Saturday afternoon.