Sports

42 Clubs Battle for Supremacy as N-Youth League Cup Kicks Off

Published

3 weeks ago

October 13, 2026

Joel Ajayi

From 23 clubs in its inaugural season to 42 clubs in 2026/27, Nigeria’s technology-driven U-19 football league, the N-Youth League Cup (N-YLC), has continued its remarkable growth with expanded international scouting partnerships and professional opportunities.

The elite youth competition has announced another milestone ahead of the new season, with 42 participating clubs, enhanced player-performance analytics, strengthened regulations and an ambitious programme to connect Nigeria’s brightest talents with professional opportunities worldwide.

Under its founder and President, Robinson Adakosa, the N-YLC is redefining youth football development through a professionally structured, technology-driven, data-supported competition that combines elite football, player identification, international exposure and career development.

“For us, this is not simply about organizing football matches. We are building a football development ecosystem that connects Nigerian talents to the global football industry.”

“Nigeria possesses an extraordinary pool of young football talent. Our responsibility is to ensure that these players are properly developed, professionally documented, consistently exposed to competitive football and given genuine opportunity to be discovered” Adakosa said

With support from the Nigeria Football Federation, participating FAs, professional clubs, academies and technology partners including Wyscout and Eyeball, the league has recorded about 83 percent growth in three seasons – from 23 clubs in 2024/25 to 36 in 2025/26 and 42 for 2026/27.

For the new season, clubs will compete through a 3-regional conference structure to improve geographical representation, maintain competitive balance and reduce travel costs, with a pathway to the prestigious National Super 8 Championship, won last season by Sporting Supreme FC in Eket, Akwa Ibom state.

Commenting on the progress, Adakosa said: “Three seasons ago, we started with 23 clubs and a very clear vision: to create a professionally organised youth competition that would provide talented young Nigerians with the visibility they deserve. Today we are entering our third season with 42 clubs, international scouting platforms, players progressing abroad and increasing recognition.”

Adakosa disclosed that the proposed November 2026 All-Star programme in England, in partnership with Brooke House College, will further create international opportunities, while ensuring clubs benefit commercially to reinvest in facilities, coaching and welfare.
The opening Day 1 fixtures {South West Conference} will see the likes of Imperial FC vs Spartans FC trading tackles. Others fixtures include, Unicorn FC vs Olympique Lagos Football Academy, Saki Stars Sport Club vs Blaze Football Academy , Athletic SC 2022 vs Awatown Academy with the matches scheduled for Remo Stadium Ikenne.

On Wednesday, AMG Sports Academy will try Seamoriow FC for size, while
Shuffle Select FA and House of Prayers will slug it out for supremacy.
Others matches listed include, Grassrunners FC vs Kwara F Academy
Greenlock FC vs The City Bride FC, while in South South Conference
Enjima Station Nhecha F Academy vs Morale FC
Bayelsa Starlets FA vs FC Prague Nigeria ,Golden Stars FA vs Marines City FC
Sporting 24 FA vs Edel FC Awka, Abia Warriors FC vs RSMA-Peppers Sport Mgt Academy.
In the North Central Conference, Sporting Supreme will face off with perennial rival, AS Roma Academy U16, Abuja. Others matches in the zone include, Hyperbuzz vs AS Roma U17 , Almasi Fc vs Darazo Football Academy, JKD Football Academy will face off One Touch FC.

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Sports

Nigeria Targets Grassroots Sports Revival as Tinubu’s Aide Adeboye Unveils National Sports Grassroots Summit

Published

19 hours ago

November 5, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Grassroots Sports Development, Adeboye Adeyinka, has called for a comprehensive overhaul of grassroots sports development in Nigeria, urging stakeholders to prioritise youth empowerment, education and national development alongside medals and trophies.

Adeyinka stated this on Thursday in Abuja during a press conference while announcing the 2026 National Grassroots Sports Summit, scheduled for November 18 and 19 at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The summit, with the theme, “Creating a New Pathway for Sustainable Grassroots Sports Development,” is expected to bring together government officials, sports administrators, state and local government representatives, private-sector investors, development partners, coaches, athletes and other stakeholders.

The presidential aide stressed that sports development must be measured not only by international achievements but also by the number of young Nigerians whose lives are positively transformed through participation in sports.

He noted that while sporting excellence could lead some athletes to Olympic medals and World Cup glory, sports also offered millions of young people opportunities for education, personal development, employment and social inclusion.

“Sometimes, when we discuss sports development, we speak about stadiums, trophies, medals and international competitions.

“But I want us to remember that at the heart of every sporting achievement is a human being,” Adeyinka said.

He explained that participation in sports could help young Nigerians secure university scholarships, develop discipline, build confidence, acquire life skills and stay away from negative influences.

According to him, sports should be recognised as an important instrument for building character, strengthening communities and creating opportunities for young people, irrespective of their backgrounds.

On talent identification, Adeyinka expressed concern that Nigeria continues to lose potential sporting talents because many children lack access to adequate facilities, qualified coaches, encouragement and organised talent-discovery programmes.

He emphasised the need for an inclusive grassroots sports system that would provide equal opportunities for children in rural communities, public schools, underserved areas and different socioeconomic backgrounds.

The presidential aide maintained that a child’s sporting prospects should not be determined by geographical location, family background or connections to influential individuals.

He warned that without a coordinated approach to identifying and nurturing young talents, the country could continue to miss opportunities to discover future champions.

Adeyinka said the forthcoming summit was designed to develop a sustainable national framework for identifying, nurturing and supporting sporting talents across the 774 local government areas.

He added that the gathering would seek practical solutions to the challenges affecting grassroots sports administration rather than focus solely on speeches and ceremonial activities.

A major objective, he explained, was to move away from fragmented talent-discovery initiatives towards a coordinated national structure connecting school and community competitions with clubs, national competitions and international sporting opportunities.

The two-day summit will deliberate on five key areas: sports participation, talent development, infrastructure, the sports economy and international pathways.

Adeyinka expressed optimism that the recommendations from the summit would provide a roadmap for strengthening grassroots sports development, expanding youth participation and positioning sports as a viable contributor to Nigeria’s economic and social development.

He called on relevant stakeholders to support the initiative and work collectively towards building a sustainable grassroots sports system capable of identifying and developing talents across the country.

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