Fortune FA has won the 2026 Nathaniel Idowu Under-16 Football League. They beat Ajegunle United SC 4, 3 on penalties in Saturday’s Super Four final at the New Maracana Sports Complex in Tolu, Ajegunle.
The final ended a thrilling season of youth football. It featured the four top teams from the nine-week regular league: Ajegunle United SC, Fortune FA, Young Eleven FA, and SC Heritage.
The Super Four gave young players a chance to show off their skills and competitive spirit as they fought for the top prize.
In the third-place match, Young Eleven FA won against SC Heritage 8, 7 on penalties after both teams drew 1, 1 in regular time. Yekeen Adetoro scored first for SC Heritage in the 45th minute. Ahmed Akeem equalised for Young Eleven FA in the 60th minute.
The event attracted many notable figures from sports and public sectors. Some attendees included Comrade Austin Popo from the Nigeria Players Union, Adedotun Coker, Vice Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association, and Hon. Tajudeen Ajide, the former Executive Chairman of Surulere Local Government Area. Former Super Eagles defender Tajudeen Dish was also present.
At the event, Popo praised Chief Yemi Idowu for keeping the legacy of his late father, Chief Nathaniel Idowu, alive. He also thanked the organisers for continuing the vision of the late sports philanthropist through investment in grassroots sports.
Popo highlighted the talent shown by the young players. He encouraged them to stay focused, disciplined, and committed to their football dreams.
Ajide also expressed his happiness with the level of football displayed during the competition. He urged the players to take their education seriously and find a balance between school and sports.
The league had a total prize purse of N2.05 million for the top five teams. Champions Fortune FA received N1 million. Runners-up Ajegunle United SC earned N500,000. Young Eleven FA, in third place, took home N300,000. SC Heritage got N150,000 for finishing fourth, while the fifth-placed team received N100,000.
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