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Na Royal returns to Nigeria after Dana Cup 2026 campaign Nigeria's representatives at the 2026 Dana Cup , NA Royal Football Academy, Ilemona , are expected to return to the country on Tuesday following an impressive campaign at the prestigious international youth football tournament in Hjørring, Denmark. The Kwara State-based academy made history by reaching the Boys U18/U19 final for the first time, finishing as runners-up after a spirited performance throughout the competition. NA Royal FC enjoyed a remarkable tournament, topping Group 12 with a perfect record of three wins from three matches, scoring 14 goals without conceding. The academy further underlined its quality by defeating Tanzania's One-Tanzanite FC 4-2 on penalties in the semi-final before eventually losing 6-1 to Centre Sportif de Bamako (CSB) of Mali in the final. Despite missing out on the title, the team's silver-medal finish has been widely celebrated as a landmark achieveme...

Yewa FC Academy Head Coach Bolaji Abdulkadri Says Team to Bounce Back After NNL Ticket Miss Yewa FC Academy head coach, Bolaji Abdulkadri, has expressed optimism that his side will return stronger next season after narrowly missing promotion to the Nigeria National League (NNL), insisting the club will build on the positives from an impressive campaign. The Ogun State-based side enjoyed a memorable 2026 Nationwide League One season, finishing as champions of the Abeokuta Centre before progressing to the promotion playoffs. They also recorded a 1-0 victory over FC Ebedei in the rescheduled playoff fixture. However, their dream of securing an NNL ticket ended with a 2-0 defeat to Dokkal Hairu FC at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado-Ekiti—the team's only loss of the season. "It hurt that we missed out on the promotion spot after the regular league season," Abdulkadri admitted. "We gave everything we had, but unfortunately it wasn't enough to get us over ...

OPINION: Why Kwara United Can Still Have a Successful NPFL Season Despite Their Recruitment Strategy By Dele Jr (Performance Analyst) With the new NPFL season fast approaching, clubs are strengthening their squads. Kwara United have seen about 18 players leave, while bringing in 16 new signings alongside two promising youth players. One of the biggest talking points among fans is the club’s recruitment process. Many have questioned why most of the new players were signed through trials, arguing that the club should focus on recruiting already established NPFL players. However, every club adopts a recruitment strategy that suits its vision and budget. Kwara United are not alone in this approach, clubs like Ikorodu City and Inter Lagos have also relied on similar methods. Some common question from fans: “Can Kwara United perform well this season with these signings?: Yes, they will. On paper, clubs like Barau FC, Kano Pillars, Rivers United, Sporting Lagos and others may appe...

TSM Academy stars off to Serbia for trials as club proprietor eyes more european moves for players Two players from TSM Football Academy, Sunday Aniebiet Samuel and Sunday Michael have departed for Serbia to begin trials as they edge closer to achieving their dreams of playing professional football in Europe. The duo earned the opportunity after impressing at a recent international scouting tournament attended by scouts from Hungary, Denmark, Serbia, and the United Kingdom . Speaking on the development, TSM Academy President Alabi Ola described the players' departure as another milestone for the academy. "They are part of the five players selected from our recent scouting tournament where scouts came from Hungary, Denmark, Serbia and the UK. Two more players will also be travelling to Denmark soon," Alabi said. He expressed delight over the latest breakthrough, reiterating that the academy remains committed to helping talented young footballe...

Tracka raises concern over mini stadium abandoned project in Delta despite N152m budget disbursement Tracka has raised concerns over the abandoned Mini Stadium project in Orerokpe, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State, despite the disbursement of ₦152 million for its construction. According to the civic accountability organisation, the Delta State Q4 Budget Implementation Report indicates that the full ₦152 million was released for the project. However, a recent tracking visit revealed that the stadium remains incomplete and abandoned. The facility, which has reportedly been in its current state for over five years, shows clear signs of neglect. The spectator stands have been overgrown with weeds, while the roofing has been severely damaged, leaving the structure unfit for use. Tracka noted that it was unable to obtain details of the contractor handling the project at the time of its visit, with available records only showing that more than ₦150 million had been di...

Dana Cup 2026: Na Royal receives special recognition, earns "Grade A' Academy rating In recognition of the academy's professionalism, discipline, and exceptional contribution to the tournament, Na-royal FC  Football Academy was honoured with a special award by the Dana Cup organizers.  Adding to the academy's achievements, NA ROYAL FC  was officially awarded a Grade "A" Academy Rating, a prestigious recognition that reflects the club's commitment to excellence in youth football development, player welfare, organization, and international best practices. The award and Grade "A" certification were presented by Alison Leigh Forman, Marketing Manager of Dana Cup, during a presentation ceremony in Hjørring, Denmark. The recognition comes on the heels of an impressive tournament campaign in which NA-Royal Football Academy reached the U18/U19 Final, representing Nigeria with distinction. The academy dominated the group stage with a perfect ...