From February 24th to March 2nd, Benin will witness an electrifying clash as the top five Under-17 teams from Nigeria’s premier clubs vie for victory in the inaugural Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Youth League.
NPFL Youth League cup competition set to kickstart in Benin.
Recognizing the pivotal role of youth development in Nigerian football, the Nigeria Football Federation has thrown its support behind the NPFL Youth League, highlighting its importance for future success.
NPFL Chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye has urged the young talents to draw inspiration from current Super Eagles stars like Samuel Chukwueze and Stanley Nwabali, who once honed their skills in the local league.
Eager to showcase their talent on a national stage, teams representing Remo Stars (South-West), Rangers (South-East), Rivers United (South-South), Plateau United, and Katsina United have secured their spots in the playoffs.
Rivers United, with a strong showing in the preliminaries, will kick off the playoffs against high-scoring Remo Stars at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, while Katsina United will face off against Plateau United later the same day.
Rangers will commence their campaign on February 26th against Katsina United, with each club set to compete in a round-robin format to determine the national champions.
Emphasizing the significance of the tournament, NPFL Youth League Chairman Emeka Inyama sees it as a platform to bridge the gap between grassroots and professional football, nurturing future talents for the main NPFL stage.
This historic competition marks a milestone in Nigerian football, fostering synergy between youth development and the professional game.
