FirstBank/Okwaraji U-16 Championship Zonal Qualifiers Begin September 19

The zonal qualifiers of the 2026 FirstBank/Samuel Okwaraji Foundation Under-16 National All Secondary Schools Championship will take place across Nigeria later this month, with Northern teams scheduled to compete from September 19 to 24 and their Southern counterparts from September 25 to 30.

The qualifiers follow the successful completion of the state elimination phase, which was held across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

The championship, organised by the Samuel Okwaraji Foundation in collaboration with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), is sponsored by FirstBank.

The Foundation’s Steering Committee is chaired by Senator Osita Izunaso.

According to the organisers, the state elimination series was held from June 26 to July 5, with the respective state champions earning places in the zonal qualifiers.

For the Northern zone, the competing teams will converge on Abuja, Kano and Bauchi, while the Southern qualifiers will be staged in Lagos, Asaba and Owerri.

The Northern zonal qualifiers will run from September 19 to 24, followed by the Southern zonal competition from September 25 to 30.

The organisers said the championship, which is exclusively for secondary school students aged under 16, has continued to provide a competitive platform for young footballers to showcase their talents.

Several promising players have reportedly emerged from the state elimination rounds, with the organisers planning to recommend outstanding performers to relevant football authorities and development programmes for further opportunities.

The competition is also expected to provide the young players with valuable competitive experience as they pursue potential careers in football.

Beyond talent identification, the organisers said the championship was designed to promote grassroots football development and encourage greater participation in the sport among secondary school students.

The tournament also serves as a tribute to the memory of late Nigerian international Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji, who died on August 12, 1989, while representing Nigeria in a 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Angola at the National Stadium in Lagos.

Okwaraji, who was 25 at the time of his death, remains one of the most enduring figures in Nigerian football history, with his commitment to the national team continuing to inspire initiatives aimed at developing young footballers.

The organisers said the championship seeks to preserve his legacy while using football as a vehicle for youth development, talent discovery and national integration.

With the state phase now completed, attention will shift to the zonal qualifiers, where the best teams from across the country will battle for progression in the competition.

The organisers are expecting another competitive phase as the young players seek to impress scouts and football development officials while representing their respective schools and states.

The zonal qualifiers will also mark an important stage in determining the teams that will advance towards the concluding phase of the 2026 championship.