Enyimba International Football Club's U-19 team will face Kwara United FC's U-19 squad in the opening match of the Nigeria Youth League (N-YLC) Super 8 Tournament at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, kicking off on Monday, 23 June 2025 .

The tournament, organised by the N-YLC, features eight top clubs from its inaugural season, which began in April 2024 with 23 teams split into Northern and Southern Conferences. Four teams from each conference advanced to the Super 8 stage, including Northern Conference qualifiers Kano Pillars, Plateau United, Kwara United, and Mailartanki FC, and Southern Conference representatives Shuffle Select (Lagos), Enyimba, Sunshine Stars (Akure), and Atlanta Business FC (Lagos).

The first day's fixtures will also see Plateau United U-19 take on Kano Pillars U-19 in the second match. The N-YLC aims to nurture youth talent while promoting competitive football across Nigeria's regions.

At the draws held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, President of the NYLC, Robinson Adakosa announced that the Super 8 would adopt a round-robin format, featuring four matches daily at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.

Adakosa praised the dedication of all involved, noting that in spite of the challenges encountered during the season, the league has succeeded in identifying and nurturing exceptional young talents.

"The N-Youth league has propelled participating players into a limelight in their various clubs as this season has not only revealed outstanding players but also drawn the attention of European scouts.

"The league remains committed to creating pathways for youth development in football," he said.

He expressed gratitude to the participating clubs, board members, and stakeholders, including the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), for their unwavering support.

He confirmed that all logistics for the tournament have been fully arranged to ensure a smooth and memorable experience for players and fans alike, with matches scheduled from June 23 to 30.

In a major boost to the tournament's profile, Adakosa revealed that FC Barcelona's Head of Recruitment, Villa Gorriz, would be attending, alongside scouts from UK and the Netherlands.

He stressed that the move by the foreign agents underscores the growing international interest in Nigeria's grassroots football talent.

Nigerian international and former Super Eagles players, Tijani Babangida and Emmanuel Babayaro, who conducted the draws for the Super 8 Championship, gave their impressions of the competition.

According to Babangida, the Super 8 would inspire grassroots players with the level of experience required in competitive leagues.

Speaking in the same vein, Babayaro said the championship was a laudable initiative, adding that it provides a suitable platform for the aspiring professional footballers to actualise their dreams.

The Super 8 championship, which is organised for players between the ages of 16 and 19, promises a week of explosive action, skillful displays, and future stars in the making.

NAN also reports that a total prize pool of N40 million is at stake with the overall winners expected to smile home with a whopping N10 million.

The runners up will get N8 million, while the third-placed winners will pocket N6 million.

The remaining participating teams will also receive financial rewards based on their final standings.

(NAN)