Sports
N-Youth League Cup: Ikorodu City U19 to Face Holders Kwara United U19 in Opener as President Pledges Greater Visibility for Players and League
By Joel Ajayi
The second edition of the National Youth League Cup (NYLC) South West Zone is set to kick off with a blockbuster opening fixture as Ikorodu City U19 face defending champions Kwara United Academy U19 in Matchday 1.
Other Week 1 games will see Emuren FC battle Bucknor FC, Grassrunners FC lock horns with Spartan FC, and Imperial FC take on Sunshine Stars of Akure, among several exciting pairings.
With strong teams, rich football traditions, and ambitious young talents, the 2025/26 NYLC South West Zone promises to deliver a thrilling and competitive season.
The draw, held on Wednesday at the Media Centre of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, set the stage for the eagerly awaited encounters. Ikorodu City U19, known for their pace and youthful energy, will be keen to make a bold statement against the champions, while Kwara United Academy aim to begin their title defence in style.
The opening game is scheduled for Tuesday, September 30, 2025, under a straight league format featuring 15 clubs from the South West Zone, with fixtures running across 30 matchdays.
Speaking after the draw, NYLC President, Robinson Adakosa, reiterated the organisers’ commitment to ensuring greater visibility for both clubs and players, while also providing a strong platform to nurture future stars of Nigerian football.
He recalled that last season saw 22 teams compete across two conferences, producing a keenly contested campaign that eventually crowned a champion. Building on that success, organisers have adopted a conference-by-conference approach for the 2025/26 edition, starting with the South West.
“This season, 21 teams initially registered, but only 15 met the required criteria and were shortlisted. As with the maiden edition, all clubs will undergo a player physical evaluation exercise designed to ensure quality participation and spotlight top young talents. We strongly believe this season will unearth even more exciting players while making the league highly competitive,” Adakosa said.
While conducting the draw, Dr. Ayo Abdurahman explained that proximity was a key consideration, as organisers did not want clubs to travel long distances.
He added that draws for other regions would be held as soon as they confirm their readiness, noting that the South West clubs were the first to do so.
He further clarified that registration was free, with clubs only required to pay referee indemnities.
South West Zone Clubs (2025/26) South West Zone Clubs (2025) The 15 participating clubs in the South West Zone are: Ikorodu City U19, Kwara United Academy U19, Vindo FC, Just John FC, Spartan FC, Grass runners FC, Eagle Stars FC, AMG Sports Academy, Bucknor FC, Emuren FC, R2Finesse Football Academy, Imperial FC, Sunshine Stars FC and Kwara football Academy.
With the lineup now confirmed, all eyes will be on Matchday 1 as the journey to crown the 2025/26 South West champions begins
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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