Maracana Football Academy ditched out what to expect in the maiden edition of the AfrisportPro Youth League as they defeated Hovel Prime Football Club, 3-0 in the opening ceremony at the Abuja center on Sunday.
Abdulrahman Haruna becomes the first player to score in this new league when he netted the first goal for Maracana FA in the 17th minute. Yazeed Zubairu added the second in the 80th minute before Zahrradeen Muhammad put the icing on the cake in the 85th minute to end the encounter 3-0 in favour of Maracana FA.
A visibly happy and fulfilled founder and brain behind the league, Chukwuebuka Ugwu, told journalists the main reason behind this youth league: “AfrisportPro Youth League was created to address structural gaps in Nigerian Football by providing a year round platform for players growth rather than short term competition success.”
Chukwuebuka Ugwu concludes: “We have taken strict measures to ensure participating players are truly within the youth age bracket, maintaining the credibility of the league.”
This AfrisportPro Youth League, which is in its first edition, will be held in 6 States including: Akwa Ibom, Imo, Plateau, Kaduna, Osun, and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
Seventy-two teams will kick start this maiden edition with more than 1000 players slugging it out week in, week out, in a total of 409 matches.
Here are the teams that make up each States and the kickoff dates in each center:
It officially kicked off in Abuja on Sunday, with Maracana FA beating Hovel Prime Football Academy 3-0.
Other teams that will slug it out in Abuja from Friday, 8th of August, 2025, include:
Soccer SG, Bola Park FC, Olympic Hybrid fc, Camp United fc, N-Youth Sports Academy, Flying Jets FA, New Boys fc, Youthful Ballers Academy, Basic fc and Jibril fc. Matches will be played on Friday(from 1pm) and Sunday(from 11am) at the Area 3 playground, Abuja.
At the Imo State center, matches will kick-start on Saturday(from 10am) and Sunday(from 10am) at the Chioma Ajunwa Sports Complex, Owerri, with the following teams: Shine fc, Chika fc, Sam Decent Academy, Ekomzy Classics, Rock fc, Fazeone fc, Olympia United FA, KHP FA, Oisa fc, Malick-Pro fc, Mountain Movers fc, and Mandible FA.
The league will get underway in Kaduna on Saturday(from 10am), 16th August, 2025 and Wednesday(from 12pm), 20th August, 2025 at the Murtala Square Turf, and here are the teams that will lock horns in Kaduna:
Emirates FA, Wales FA, Sabon Kawo FA, HB FA, Ikhana FA, Narayi Empire FC, Milinium City FA, Imandina FA, Jamba FA, Little Stars FA, Leeds FA and Kakuri FA.
Osun State center will commence on Saturday(10am), 16th August, 2025 and Sunday(from 10am) at the Ataoja School of Science playground, Oshogbo, with the following teams:
AAYK fc, Telu FC, Ridyem fc, Adegbite FC, City Rollers FC, Leke Hamzat FA, Ileogbo United fc, Ede City Boys SC, Ejigbo FA, Hommydays fc, Hamzainab FC, and Excel FC.
Akwa Ibom center will hit the ground running on Monday(12pm), 18th August, 2025 and Tuesday(from 12pm) at the Uyo Township Stadium, with the following teams: Artisan FA, Willnam-Pro FA, Vifa Academy, Blackpool FA, Blessed Stars FA, Pillar Sports FA, Nichin FA, Blessed Talents FA, Cradle FA, Immortality FC, Full Life Academy and Eagle Eye FA.
Battles will kickoff on the Plateau on Monday(from 12pm), 18th August, 2025, and Tuesday(12pm), 19th of August 2025, at the New Jos Stadium with the following teams:
Tuffray FA, AM Dung, Relentless FA, Corinthians FA, Plateau United Youth Team, Corner Flag FA, Plateau Jets SC, Elkanemi Juniors FA, Mighty Jets Youth Team, Gee Lec FA, Joecas SC and Holy Ghost FA.
