The future of Nigerian football has officially arrived.
The opening ceremony/press conference of the NPFL/La Liga youth league tournament was held on Thursday, April 21st 2022, in Ikenne, Ogun state.
NPFL/Laliga Youth League was launched in Nigeria during the NPFL 2016/2017 season after the League Management Company (LMC) and Laliga agreed to pursue a mutual collaboration for the development and benefits of both leagues. The NPFL U-15 tournament gives youths the opportunity to showcase their talent and love for the game. The youth teams of the 20 NPFL clubs are the participants in this competition.
Key persons at the event included Osaze Ebueku, MTN Nigeria Senior Manager, Sponsorship & Promotions, Barrister Seyi Akinwumi, NFF’s First Vice President; Mr Desmond Chiji, Country Manager, LaLiga Nigeria, represented by Ayodeji Adegbenro, and Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon Funmi Afuwape, amongst others.
MTN is a brand that shares the same passion for sports that our immediate community has. Our love for Nigerian football extends beyond the Super Eagles and all national teams, and our partnership with the NPFL furthers the drive to promote developmental football in Nigeria.
The tournament holds in Ikenne, Ogun state and runs from April 20th to May 8th, 2022.
Tournament Structure
The participating teams are grouped with other teams representing each zone. The teams in each group are picked from different geographical locations. Each team will play four matches during the first group stage, playing each other in a one-legged round-robin format. The top two (2) teams from each group then qualify to feature in the quarterfinals stage.
Quarterfinals Stage:
Winner Group A vs Runner-up Group C,
Winner Group B vs Runner-up Group D,
Winner Group C vs Runner-up Group A, &
Winner Group D vs Runner-up Group B
1st semi-finals:
Winner Group A/Runner-up Group C vs Winner Group B/ Runner-up Group D
2nd Semi-finals:
Winner Group C/Runner-up Group A vs Winner Group D/ Runner-up Group B
3rd Place:
Looser 1st Semi-finals vs Looser 2nd Semi-finals
Final:
Winner 1st Semi-finals vs Winner 2nd Semi-finals
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