Lagos grassroots football witnessed a thrilling spectacle last weekend as the Nathaniel Idowu Foundation U-14 Football League kicked off at the Nathaniel Idowu Pitch in Oregie. The opening round of fixtures produced a staggering 21 goals across six matches, signaling a high-octane start for the 12 participating teams. Fortune FC established themselves as early title contenders with a dominant 5–0 thrashing of Divinely Blessed FC, while Strong Dove FC mirrored that intensity by routing Best of Best FC 5–1.
The Ajeromi-Ifelodun Sports Council, with vital backing from the Nathaniel Idowu Foundation, designed this 11-week competition to identify and nurture the next generation of Nigerian football stars. Other notable results from the weekend included Pure Talents FC’s 2–0 victory over Coal City FC and a hard-fought 2–1 win for Bright Future FC against Moree Wins FC. The tournament will eventually culminate in a Super 4 playoff to determine the ultimate champions, who will walk away with a grand prize of N500,000.
Beyond the boys’ tournament, organizers revealed a significant expansion into female youth development through the “Let Her Play” initiative. This 10-week program begins on February 7 at the New Maracana Stadium, specifically targeting secondary school girls to provide professional training and competitive pathways. Director-General McAnthony Anaelechukwu emphasized that these grassroots efforts aim to restore Ajegunle’s status as the primary hub for sporting talent in West Africa.
McAnthony Anaelechukwu addressed the spectators and players regarding the importance of the project: “Ajegunle is the home of sports and entertainment, particularly football. We are poised to reclaim our place of pride as the true home of football through youth-driven grassroots initiatives like this.”
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