Sports
MOP Stars FC Set for Europe Tour, to Face Brentford, West Ham, Charlton Athletic and More from October 25
Joel Ajayi
MOP Stars Football Club Academy is preparing for a landmark European tour later this month, with confirmed fixtures against top English sides including Brentford FC, West Ham United, Charlton Athletic, and others.
The tour, scheduled to kick off on October 25 in London, is designed to showcase Nigerian grassroots talent on the global stage.
Announcing the development after his academy side played a goalless test match against the U-17 Golden Eaglets at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Chairman of the Academy, Dr. Sulieman Adejoh, described the trip as a great opportunity to give his players international exposure while making Nigeria proud abroad.
“We have a tournament in London starting October 25, and the fixtures have been finalized. By the grace of God, we will go there, compete well, and fly Nigeria’s flag high,” Adejoh said.
Reflecting on the growth of his academy, Adejoh noted that since its establishment in January, the MOP Stars have remained unbeaten, except in a training match against the Super Eagles. He added that their ability to hold the national U-17s to a draw showed both the academy’s progress and the Eaglets’ urgent need to improve in the attacking third.
Head Coach of MOP Stars FC, Toyin Lawal, praised his young players for holding their own against the national cadet side.
“We are still a new team with a lot of work ahead, but it’s a joyful thing that we were able to match the Golden Eaglets. I believe they will go on to represent Nigeria well,” Lawal said.
One of the academy’s stakeholders, Mr. Ekpang Adejoh, also commended the team’s discipline and raw talent.
“Fantastic defensive discipline, strong midfield play — and from street footballers — yet they held a national U-17 side to a goalless draw. That’s remarkable. The Eaglets did well too, but you cannot overlook the raw talent in these MOP Stars. This is why we are urging the NFF to look into the streets, because there are hidden footballers everywhere, even players capable of becoming future Super Eagles stars,” he stated.
He emphasized that though the academy is less than a year old, their progress has been extraordinary. “With the dedication of the founder, in the next two years we could see players from this academy rise to the level of Jay-Jay Okocha or Kanu Nwankwo,” he added.
Sports
PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon Earns World Athletics Label
Nigeria’s foremost Sports Company, Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML) has announced the second edition of the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon, set to light up Nigeria’s capital city on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
With the theme “Steady Strides,” this year’s race captures the measured rhythm and determined pace that define world-class long-distance running, a reflection of the steady progress and ambitious vision shaping the marathon’s evolution into a global platinum-labelled event.
In a historic milestone for Nigerian sports, the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon has been officially awarded the prestigious World Athletics Label for its second edition, a distinction achieved in record time. This remarkable feat makes it the first marathon globally to earn the label so swiftly, underscoring both the organizational excellence of NSML and the dynamic rise of PremiumTrust Bank, currently celebrated as Nigeria’s fastest-growing commercial bank.
The 2025 edition is expected to attract elite international athletes, top local runners, and marathon enthusiasts from around the world, alongside officials from World Athletics who will oversee the competition.
Speaking on the announcement, Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Yetunde Olopade, expressed excitement about the unique partnership with PremiumTrust Bank.
“This second edition is fundamentally unique because it represents the first-ever true super-partnership on such a dynamic sports property in our nation and arguably, globally. PremiumTrust Bank is not just a sponsor but the sole partner anchoring the establishment, organization, and consolidation of a global marathon in Nigeria’s capital city.
” We are proud and grateful for the bank’s visionary leadership, which not only recognized the immense potential of the first edition but is now single-handedly driving the race toward international acclaim.”
Managing Director of PremiumTrust Bank, Dr. Emmanuel Efe Emefienim (CON) emphasized the shared values underpinning the partnership.
“PremiumTrust Bank is built on the philosophy of rapid, impactful, and sustainable growth, and the theme of this year’s marathon perfectly reflects our operational ethos.”
“Attaining World Athletics Label status in just the second year validates that our investment is yielding world-class outcomes. We are deeply proud to be the sole partner building this monumental legacy, reinforcing our commitment to sports development, community wellbeing, excellence, and platforms where champions are made.”
The PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon 2025 promises to be a spectacular celebration of endurance, athleticism, and community spirit, further strengthening Abuja’s status on the global racing calendar.
Registration for participants is currently open as it promises to be another marathon spectacle on the 6th of December 2025.
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