AfrisportPro Youth League Kicks Off with Maracana FA’s Victory

The maiden edition of the AfrisportPro Youth League began in emphatic fashion as Maracana FA secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Hovel Prime FC in the opening match. The fixture not only showcased the quality of football the league aims to promote but also reflected its commitment to developing genuine youth talent in Nigeria.

Maracana FA took the lead in the 16th minute when Abdulrahman Haruna pounced on a defensive lapse to calmly slot home. Despite Hovel Prime FC’s efforts to respond, Maracana held firm and extended their advantage late in the match. Yazeer Zubairu struck in the 80th minute, and Zaarradeon Muhammad sealed the victory in the 86th minute with a composed finish.

Goalkeeper Ibrahim Abdulrazak was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) for his assured performance between the posts. Speaking after the match, he expressed his delight at both the victory and the award, stressing the importance of starting the competition on a strong note.

Winning coach Abdullahi Yahaya praised his players for their performance but urged them to remain focused. “I’m very happy to get a win in the first game, especially on the opening day of the league. We played a good side, but we prepared well and got the result. However, this is just the beginning—we still have ten games to go, so we must keep working. My target is to develop and sell my players while also aiming to win the trophy,” he said.

League founder and convener Chukwuebuka Ugwu explained that the AfrisportPro Youth League was created to address structural gaps in Nigerian football by providing a year-round platform for player growth rather than short-term competition success. He noted that the organisers have taken strict measures to ensure participating players are truly within the youth age bracket, maintaining the credibility of the league.

The pilot edition covers six states with a total of 409 matches scheduled. Through a partnership with Wyscout, a leading global football analytics and scouting platform, every game will be recorded and player performance data made accessible to professional clubs worldwide—significantly increasing the chances of Nigerian players earning international contracts

International partner Josep Gené from Spain lauded the initiative, saying: “Nigeria is full of talent, and a year-long league like this provides the right environment for players to develop and be seen by international scouts. With professional-quality videos, CVs, and consistent performance tracking, more Nigerian players—not just national team members—will have a chance to go abroad.”

Former Nigerian international Femi Ajilore, a member of the FCT FA board and an advisory board member for the league, also commended the standard of play and confirmed that the competition will be an annual event with ambitions to become one of Africa’s foremost youth scouting platforms.

With 408 matches still ahead, the AfrisportPro Youth League is set to deliver not only top-level youth football but also a sustainable pathway for Nigerian players to step onto the global stage.