Sports
Sporting Supreme Clinch Nigeria Youth League Cup Title in Style
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.
Sports
From Boardroom To Battlefield: Corporate Giants Trade Deals For Goals As Third Edition Of Corporate Stars League Kicks Off
Joel Ajayi
Ten corporate giants are preparing to swap boardroom meetings, spreadsheets and strategy decks for football boots, tactical battles and bragging rights as the Corporate Stars League returns with a promise of fierce competition, corporate networking and business deals that could extend beyond the touchline.
For five weekends, beginning Saturday, October 24, 2026, participating organisations will battle for supremacy on the pitch, where boardroom influence counts for little without teamwork, skill, determination and the ability to find the back of the net.
This year, new contenders have thrown their hats into the ring, hoping to dethrone defending champions Norrenberger and prevent them from making it back-to-back titles.
But Norrenberger are not surrendering their crown without a fight. Their representative, Victor Olamide Mattews, insists the champions are ready to defend their title, warning challengers that stopping them will be no easy task.
The company’s ambition to simplify wealth creation and champion inclusive financial solutions appears to extend beyond the financial market, with the champions eager to establish their dominance on the football pitch as well.
Telecommunications giant MTN, whose slogan is “Everywhere You Go,” will also be looking to make a stronger impression after falling short last season. Their representative, Abubakar Bako says the team is returning with renewed determination, hoping to improve its performance and ensure that this time, its presence is felt across the competition.
The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) is also taking its reach beyond financial statements and revenue collection to test its strength on the pitch. But whether its reform-driven approach can translate into football success remains another ball game entirely.
Meanwhile, the representative of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (PI-CNG & EV), David Idakwo, says although this is the organisation’s first appearance in the competition, the team is ready to learn and challenge established conventions.
Similarly, Hassan Haruna of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) says the organisation hopes to translate its financial discipline into tactical precision, sound decision-making and a winning performance on the pitch.
Then comes Beer and Barn, ready to bring its own flavour to the contest. Beyond the football, the hospitality brand offers grilled pub meals, shawarma, live-band performances and energetic DJ nights. Its representatives will hope to make their presence felt on the pitch as much as they do in the entertainment and hospitality scene.
However, the competition is not just about goals, celebrations and corporate bragging rights. With the Nigeria Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), the Pension Commission (PenCom) and Jaiz Bank also among the participating organisations, the banter is already gathering momentum.
From playful jibes about power supply and infrastructure to pension benefits, investment decisions and corporate expansion, the pre-tournament exchanges have added another layer of excitement to a competition where professional rivalries will temporarily give way to football banter.
But when the whistle blows, the real talking will have to be done with the ball. Every misplaced pass, missed chance and defensive lapse could prove costly, while a moment of brilliance could separate champions from challengers.
Speaking after the draws and unveiling of the teams, 5Stars Operations Manager, Misal Dikko, said this year’s edition promises a higher level of competition, with more participating teams and increased expectations from corporate management.
“We are going to have an interesting competition, especially with the number of participating teams and the level of expectations from management. They have shown they are ready to put their money where their mouth is by supporting their teams with all the necessary logistics,” Dikko said.
With ten corporate teams preparing to battle over five weekends, the Corporate Stars League promises more than football. It is a meeting point for competition, camaraderie, networking and business opportunities.
For the defending champions, the mission is to protect their crown. For the challengers, it is a chance to rewrite the story. And for every team, the ultimate objective is clear: turn corporate ambition into football glory.
-
Featured7 years agoLampard Names New Chelsea Manager
-
Featured7 years agoFG To Extends Lockdown In FCT, Lagos Ogun states For 7days
-
Featured7 years agoChildren Custody: Court Adjourns Mike Ezuruonye, Wife’s Case To April 7
-
Featured7 years agoNYSC Dismisses Report Of DG’s Plan To Islamize Benue Orientation Camp
-
Featured5 years agoTransfer Saga: How Mikel Obi Refused to compensate me After I Linked Him Worth $4m Deal In Kuwait SC – Okafor
-
Featured7 years ago
Board urges FG to establish one-stop rehabilitation centres in 6 geopolitical zones
-
Sports4 years ago
TINUBU LAMBAST DELE MOMODU
-
News2 years agoZulu to Super Eagles B team, President Tinubu is happy with you
