The maiden edition of the AfrisportPro Youth League kicked off in style, with Maracana FA cruising to a 3–0 win over Hovel Prime FC in the competition’s opening match.
The encounter not only showcased the quality of football that the organisers aim to promote but also highlighted the abundance of youthful talent on display, thanks to strict eligibility checks to ensure only genuine youth players participate.
Maracana FA drew first blood in the 16th minute when Abdulrahman Haruna calmly slotted home after pouncing on a defensive error.
Despite Hovel Prime FC’s attempts to fight back, Maracana maintained their dominance and doubled the lead in the 80th minute through Yazeer Zubairu. Zaarradeon Muhammad sealed the emphatic win with a stoppage-time strike in the 86th minute.
Goalkeeper Ibrahim Abdulrazak was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) for his commanding performance between the posts.
Speaking after the match, he expressed delight at both the clean sheet and the award, noting that a strong start would boost the team’s confidence for the season ahead.
Maracana FA coach Abdullahi Yahaya praised his players’ efforts but emphasised the need for consistency.
Yahaya said: “I’m very happy to get a win in the first game, especially on the opening day of the league. We played a good side, but we prepared well and got the result. However, this is just the beginning; we still have ten games to go, so we must keep working. My target is to develop and sell my players while also aiming to win the trophy.”
League founder and convener, Chukwuebuka Ugwu, explained that the AfrisportPro Youth League was created to address structural gaps in Nigerian football by offering a year-round platform focused on player growth rather than short-term results.
Ugwu stated, “We know there are thousands of talented players in Nigeria who never get scouted due to a lack of structure. This league gives them visibility, both locally and globally. We were deliberate in selecting the participating teams, and I’m happy with the quality we’ve seen so far.”
The pilot edition spans six states, with a total of 409 matches scheduled. In partnership with Wyscout, a leading global football analytics platform, every match is recorded and performance data shared with professional clubs worldwide, boosting the prospects of Nigerian players securing contracts abroad.
Also speaking, an International partner from Spain, Josep Gené, commended the initiative after watching the opening game.
He said, “Nigeria is full of talent, and a year-long league like this provides the right environment for players to develop and be seen by scouts. With professional-quality videos and consistent performance tracking, more Nigerian players will get opportunities overseas,” he said.
Former Nigerian international and FCT FA board member, Femi Ajilore, who serves on the league’s advisory board, praised the standard of play and confirmed that the competition will become an annual event, with ambitions to grow into one of Africa’s foremost youth scouting platforms.
With 408 matches still to go, the AfrisportPro Youth League promises not only top-level youth football but also a clear, merit-based pathway for Nigerian talents, promoting national unity, discipline, education, and economic opportunities through sport.
