The stage is set for the 2026 N-Youth League Cup Super 8 Championship after the official draw ceremony was held on Tuesday at the VIP Lounge of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. The Super 8 will kick off on Saturday, 23 May, with the playoff matches at Eket, Akwa Ibom state, while the final match is fixed for May 30.
Speaking during the ceremony, the President of the Nigeria Youth League Cup (NYLC), Robinson Adakosa, described the competition as a major platform for discovering and nurturing the next generation of Nigerian football stars.
Adakosa said the Super 8 Championship represented more than just a football competition, stressing that it symbolised opportunity, development and the future of Nigerian football.
“Today represents more than just a football event. It is a celebration of vision, development, opportunity and the future of Nigerian football,” he said.
He commended the Nigeria Football Federation and the National Sports Commission for their continued support towards youth football development in the country.
According to him, the backing from both bodies has helped strengthen the vision of building a professionally structured youth league capable of impacting Nigerian football positively for generations.
Adakosa also congratulated all the clubs that qualified for the Super 8, noting that their progress to the championship phase reflected discipline, technical quality and consistency throughout the season.
He urged participating teams to compete fairly and uphold the spirit of sportsmanship during the tournament. “The Super 8 is not only about winning trophies. It is about creating opportunities for our players to be seen by scouts, agents, clubs and international football stakeholders. It is about building careers and giving young Nigerians a pathway to greatness through football,” he added.
The NYLC boss further appreciated sponsors, partners, media organisations and technical officials for their contributions towards the growth of the competition.
Following the draw, the eight participating teams were divided into two groups.
Group A features Kwara FA/Peparest Academy playoff winner, Sporting Supreme/House of Player playoff winner, Supreme Kings and Plateau United U-19.
In the opening fixtures, the Kwara FA/Peparest Academy playoff winner will face the Sporting Supreme/House of Player playoff winner, while the Supreme Kings take on Plateau United U-19.
Matchday Two will see Plateau United U-19 battle the Kwara FA/Peparest Academy playoff winner, while Supreme Kings confront the Sporting Supreme/House of Player playoff winner.
On Matchday Three, Plateau United U-19 will face the Sporting Supreme/House of Player playoff winner, while Supreme Kings will play the Kwara FA/Peparest Academy playoff winner.
Group B comprises Kano Pillars U-19/Right2Win playoff winner, Darazo FC, Grassrunners FC and Mallantarki Cars/Sunshine FC U-19 playoff winner.
The opening round of matches will see Kano Pillars U-19/Right2Win winner tackle Grassrunners FC, while Darazo FC face Mallantarki Cars/Sunshine FC U-19’s winner.
Grassrunners FC will meet Mallantarki Cars/Sunshine FC U-19 playoff winner on Matchday Two, while Darazo FC will battle Kano Pillars U-19/Right2Win’s playoff winner.
The final round of group fixtures will pit Mallantarki Cars/Sunshine FC U-19 playoff winner against Darazo FC, while Grassrunners FC take on Kano Pillars U-19/Right2Win playoff winner.
Adakosa expressed optimism that the championship would produce unforgettable moments and outstanding talents capable of elevating youth football in Nigeria and across Africa.
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