Team Kwara will battle host state Ogun in the final of the male football event at the ongoing National Sports Festival (NSF) – Gateway Games 2024 – after a gritty 1-0 victory over Kaduna State in Sunday’s semi-final.
The much-anticipated final is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, at the Main Bowl of the MKO Abiola International Stadium in Abeokuta.
Kwara’s triumph continues the state’s long-standing tradition of excellence in grassroots youth football development.
Over the years, the state has produced a steady stream of talented players through its robust youth systems and community-based competitions such as the Kwara Football Academy and the state’s underage leagues.
This pedigree has earned Kwara a reputation as a breeding ground for national and international football talents.
On their part, hosts Ogun State also secured a hard-fought 2-1 win over the Golden Eaglets—the national U-17 team participating under the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) initiative of the National Sports Commission—in the second semi-final.
With both teams displaying strong tactical discipline and homegrown flair throughout the tournament, Tuesday’s final promises to be a showcase of two of Nigeria’s most vibrant football development hubs.
Meanwhile, the Golden Eaglets will take on Team Kaduna in the third-place playoff, also scheduled for Tuesday at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.