By Joel Ajayi
The maiden edition of the U-19 Nigeria Independence Football Challenge Cup kicked off in thrilling fashion on Thursday in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
At the Area 3 Football Pitch, Kebbi State made a strong start with a 2-1 victory over Imo State. Ahmed Aliyu opened the scoring before Hayatudeen Haruna doubled the lead before halftime, giving the North-West side a commanding advantage. Imo pulled one back after the break but could not overturn the deficit.
Meanwhile, at the Nyanya Mopol Football Pitch, Lagos State showed resilience in their opener against Plateau State. Despite trailing 2-1, the Lagos boys mounted a spirited comeback to level the contest 2-2 and earn a valuable point.
However, the much-anticipated clash between Kano and Benue States was abandoned due to a heavy downpour that rendered the Nyanya Mopol pitch unplayable.
The U-19 Nigeria Independence Football Challenge Cup, launched by the Inter-Sports Promoters Association (ISPA), is one of the key events marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary in 2025. Beyond football, the tournament aims to inspire hope, foster unity, and create meaningful opportunities for young talents across the country.
