30 teams set to compete in inaugural Nigeria Youth League Cup

Not fewer than  30 youth teams are set to participate in the maiden edition of the Nigeria Youth League Cup (NYLC).

The president of NYLC, Robinson Adakosa, disclosed this at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja.

Adakosa said the league has received support from the Sports Ministry, the Nigeria Football Federation, and the Nigeria Premier Football League.

He said that the Nigeria National League, FCT Football Association, and other relevant stakeholders have also endorsed the tournament.

“It is a youth development programme with the mission of providing world-class football experience, and competition for teenagers and young adults between the ages of 16 and 19,” he said.

He said NYLC was founded in 2023 and will become the fastest Youth League in Africa.

“It will soon grow to over 1,000,000 members with participants and followers in all the 36 states of the Federation and the FCT.

“Our cardinal objectives are to enable young people to benefit from participation in team sports and activities in a safe and structured environment.

Chief Operating Officer of NNL, Ayo Abdulrahman, who represented the president of the NFF, Ibrahim Gusau, urged players to be good ambassadors of the sport.

He urged the players to be disciplined in their games to enable them to achieve their set goals.

“We decided to endorse and embrace this league because this is part of a developmental programme that will enhance the development of football in Nigeria,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the teams have been divided into groups A and B.

Group A:

Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi
AS Roma Academy of Abuja
Dynamic African Stars FC of Abuja
Garden City Panthers of Abuja
Legacy Stars FC of Abuja
Joecas FC of Jos
Mees Palace FC of Jos
Plateau United FC of Jos
Shield City FC of Kano
Kwara Football Academy
Kwara United FC
ABS FC Ilorin
Kano Pillars FC
Yobe Desert Stars FC of Damaturu
Crystal Palace of Kebbi

Group B:

Abia Warriors FC of Aba
Akwa United FC of Uyo
Rangers FC of Enugu
Bucknor FC of Lagos
R2 Finesse of Lagos
Atlantic Business FC of Ogun
Sunshine Stars FC of Akure
Shooting Stas FC of Ibadan
Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt
Royalty FC of Lagos
Shuffle Select FA of Lagos
Gateway City FC of Abeokuta
Enyimba Fc of Aba
Austenplus FC
Eagles Stars of Lagos

NAN reports that the league cup matches would be played on a home and away basis, on Tuesdays at 4pm prompt at different venues across the country.

There will be a regional championship where all the winners will participate in the two conferences.

The two top teams in the conference would proceed to the Namor Championship.

The NYLC season will commence from September 8, 2024, to April 20, 2025.

(NAN)