Sports

Sporting Supreme Clinch Nigeria Youth League Cup Title in Style

Published

4 months ago

June 1, 2026

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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Sports

NSC DG, Olopade Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Assures of More Progressive Sports Development Under President Tinubu

Published

15 hours ago

October 1, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has congratulated Nigerians as the nation celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, describing the milestone as a reflection of Nigeria’s resilience, unity and remarkable capacity to excel on the global stage, particularly through sports.

Hon. Olopade said Nigeria at 66 is an occasion every Nigerian should be proud of, noting that despite the challenges encountered over the years, the country has continued to make significant progress and produce achievements capable of inspiring generations.

The DG said the sports sector has particular reasons to celebrate, pointing to a series of performances and milestones by Nigerian athletes and teams across the global sporting landscape.

“Today, we celebrate the resilience of our people, the strength of our unity and our belief in the promise of our great country, especially through sports.

“As we raise our flag with pride, may we remain committed to building a nation where every Nigerian has the opportunity to dream, thrive and succeed.”

Hon. Olopade said the progress being witnessed in Nigerian sports aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Development (RHINSE), which he said is focused on creating a stronger and more sustainable pathway for athletes, while positioning sports as a tool for national development, youth empowerment and global recognition.

He pointed to Nigeria’s outstanding performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as one of the latest examples of the country’s sporting potential. Team Nigeria returned from Glasgow with 24 medals, comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze, finishing seventh overall and as the highest-ranked African nation at the Games. The campaign also produced three world records and a number of historic milestones across para powerlifting, athletics, weightlifting, para athletics and judo.

Among the standout performances was that of Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who won gold in para powerlifting and twice broke the world record during the competition, ultimately lifting 175kg. Goodness Nwachukwu also successfully defended her Commonwealth title in the women’s para discus and set a new world record, while Nigeria recorded historic Commonwealth gold medals through Samuel Ogazi in the men’s 400m, Ezekiel Nathaniel in the men’s 400m hurdles and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi in the men’s shot put.

“Today, Nigeria is a global force in para-sports, and athletes such as Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Goodness Nwachukwu continue to demonstrate the extraordinary talent and determination that exist within our country,” Hon. Olopade said.

He also celebrated the continued dominance of D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, which in 2025 became the first nation to win five consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles after defeating Mali 78-64 in the final in Abidjan in the last edition. The achievement extended Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games and secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup pathway.

On the global athletics scene, Hon. Olopade highlighted the continued excellence of Tobi Amusan and the emergence of a new generation of Nigerian sprinters. Amusan won silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September 2026, clocking 12.34 seconds in the final, while Kayinsola Ajayi added another significant milestone by winning Commonwealth bronze in the men’s 100m and helping Nigeria to bronze in the men’s 4x100m relay in Glasgow.

Nigeria’s football heritage, Hon. Olopade noted, remains another major source of national pride. The country holds the record for the most FIFA U-17 World Cup titles, with five championships won by the Golden Eaglets in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.

He also pointed to the country’s growing influence in emerging sports, including flag football. Nigeria made history by winning both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag Football Championship in Cairo in 2025, earning qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.

“These achievements across athletics, para-sports, basketball, football, weightlifting, flag football and other sports remind us that Nigeria possesses immense sporting talent,” the DG said.

“From our champions who continue to break world records to our young athletes who are announcing themselves on the international stage, the Nigerian flag continues to fly with pride around the world. This is why the development of sports must remain a national priority. Our responsibility is not only to celebrate champions after they emerge, but to build the systems, facilities, competitions and opportunities that allow more young Nigerians to become champions.”

“As we celebrate 66 years of our independence, we celebrate Nigeria’s past, but we must also look confidently toward the future. Our athletes have shown us what is possible when talent meets opportunity, preparation and support. The task before us is to ensure that more Nigerians have that opportunity,” the DG added.

“On behalf of the National Sports Commission, I wish all Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary. May our great nation continue to grow in strength, unity, prosperity and sporting excellence,” Hon. Olopade concluded.

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