Na Royal returns to Nigeria after Dana Cup 2026 campaign

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 achievement for the academy and a testament to the growing standard of grassroots football in Nigeria.

The players and officials are expected to receive a warm welcome upon their arrival in Nigeria, with football stakeholders, supporters, and members of the Ilemona community set to celebrate their outstanding accomplishment on the international stage.


The academy described the experience as a valuable learning curve and reaffirmed its commitment to building on the success achieved in Denmark.

NA Royal FC's memorable Dana Cup campaign has not only brought pride to Ilemona, Kwara State, and Nigeria, but has also established the academy as one of the country's rising forces in youth football development, with hopes of returning stronger in future editions of the tournament.

Popular posts from this blog

Meet Ilorin-born Soliu Ajia Yakubu,Flying Eagles Goalkeeper for AFCON

Image
Meet Ilorin-born Soliu Ajia Yakubu,Flying Eagles Goalkeeper for AFCON  An Ilorin-born goalkeeper, Soliu Ajia Yakubu, will wear the Nigerian badge at the upcoming U20 AFCON tournament in Egypt. The former Gidado Football Academy player was part of the squad listed for the AFCON final list by Coach Aliyu Zubairu. Soliu currently ply his trade in Serbian league with FK Novia Pazar. He's one of the homegrown talents expected to shine in the AFCON.  His father hails from Itakure in Ilorin while his mother hails from Gambari also in Ilorin. The young goalkeeper has been incredible so far in the camp, and he's expected to justify his inclusion in the AFCON trip. Coach Aliyu Zubairu who led the team to WAFU-B championship victory last October is banking on the support of Nigerians to win the U20 AFCON in Egypt.
Read more

Saheed Abdulkadir appointed Kwara United Team Manager

Image
 Saheed Abdulkadir appointed Kwara United Team Manager By Yemi Sodeeq Kwara United Football Club has announced the appointment of former Welfare Officer, Saheed Abdulkadir , as the new Team Manager of the club ahead of the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season. The appointment was part of a minor reshuffle within the club's technical and administrative structure approved by the Chairman, Mr. Kumbi Titiloye , as the Harmony Boys continue preparations for the new campaign. Abdulkadir, who previously served diligently as the club's Welfare Officer, earned the promotion following his commitment, professionalism and contribution to the smooth running of the team in recent seasons. A graduate of Sports Management from the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Lagos , Abdulkadir is widely regarded as an experienced sports administrator with a sound understanding of player management and team operations. His elevation to the role of Team Manager is expe...
Read more

Yewa FC Academy clinch Samurai league title with unbeaten record

Image
Yewa FC Academy clinch Samurai league title with unbeaten record Yewa FC Academy have been crowned champions of the 2025 Samurai Football League after finishing top of the table with an impressive unbeaten record in the four-team competition which was held in Ikenne,Ogun State. The young side, who are barely two months old and only began operations on 21 October 2025, proved their quality and resilience throughout the tournament, amassing seven points from three matches to emerge winners. HiYewa FC Academy opened their campaign with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over M&N FC, before consolidating their dominance with a convincing 2–0 win against Amazing Boys FC in Match 2. They wrapped up their remarkable run with a 1–1 draw against Elegant Football Academy, ensuring they completed the Samurai League without defeat. With two wins, one draw, three goals scored and just one conceded, Yewa FC Academy’s performance marks a landmark achievement for a club still in its...
Read more