Joel Ajayi

Sporting Supreme FC were crowned champions of the second edition of the Nigeria Youth League Cup [N-YLC] after securing a commanding 2-0 victory over Grassrunners FC in the final played at Eket Township Stadium.

The hero of the day was Adeleke Abdulmuiz, whose second-half brace settled a fiercely contested encounter and delivered the trophy to Sporting Supreme. The forward broke the deadlock in the 59th minute before putting the result beyond doubt with a second goal in the 85th minute, earning him the Man of the Match award.

The opening half was a tense and tactical affair as both sides demonstrated the qualities that had carried them to the final. Grassrunners FC sought to impose themselves through quick attacking transitions, while Sporting Supreme maintained their shape and patiently looked for opportunities to exploit spaces in the opposition defence.

Despite creating chances at both ends, neither side found a breakthrough before halftime, leaving the contest finely balanced.

The turning point arrived in the 59th minute when Adeleke Abdulmuiz displayed his attacking instinct and composure to score the opening goal for Sporting Supreme. The strike lifted the confidence of the eventual champions and forced Grassrunners FC to commit more players forward in search of an equaliser.

As the match entered its closing stages, Sporting Supreme displayed maturity and tactical discipline, managing the game effectively while remaining dangerous on the counterattack. Their persistence was rewarded again in the 85th minute when Abdulmuiz struck for a second time, completing his brace and securing the championship in emphatic fashion.

The final score may have been 2-0, but Grassrunners FC deserved enormous credit for a remarkable tournament campaign. Their resilience, attacking quality and consistency throughout the competition earned them a deserved place in the final.

Presentation Ceremony

Following the final whistle, celebrations erupted among the Sporting Supreme players, coaching staff and supporters as they received the Nigeria Youth League Cup trophy.

The presentation ceremony also recognised outstanding individual and team performances throughout the tournament.

Award Winners Champions Sporting Supreme FC

Runners-Up, Grassrunners FC

Man of the Match (Final) Adeleke Abdulmuiz (Sporting Supreme FC)

Best Goalkeeper: Richard Udoh (Sporting Supreme FC)

Highest Goalscorer: Abdullahi Adedoyin Said (Grassrunners FC) – 19 goals

Best Player of the Tournament: Abdullahi Adedoyin Said (Grassrunners FC)

Fair Play Award: Supreme Kings FC, Abia state

Tournament Impressions: The second edition of the Nigeria Youth League Cup once again demonstrated the enormous potential of youth football in Nigeria. The quality of competition throughout the tournament, combined with the organisation of the Super 8 Championship, provided an excellent platform for emerging talents to showcase their abilities.

Sporting Supreme FC’s triumph was built on discipline, teamwork and clinical finishing when it mattered most. Their ability to rise to the occasion in the biggest match of the tournament highlighted the mentality of a championship-winning side.

Although Grassrunners FC fell short in the final, they left the competition with significant individual honours. Abdullahi Adedoyin Said’s extraordinary tally of 19 goals and his recognition as the tournament’s Best Player underlined the impact he made throughout the campaign.

The performances of Richard Udoh in goal and Adeleke Abdulmuiz in the final further emphasised the depth of talent on display.

As the curtain fell on this year’s competition, the Nigeria Youth League Cup further established itself as one of the country’s most important youth football development platforms, uncovering future stars and providing valuable competitive experience for young players across Nigeria.

The tournament concluded with Sporting Supreme FC lifting the trophy, but the lasting legacy of the competition remained the emergence of promising young talents who may go on to shape the future of Nigerian football.

Top football officials were present to witnessed the colourful finals, they were led by the Akwa Ibom, Hon. Commissioner of Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, Abia Warriors chairman Chief John Obuh, SA to the NFF Gen-sec, Alhaji Ameenu Mohammed and several others.

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