By Nkechi Eze
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) football team has emerged champions of the 2026 Nationwide League One (NLO) pre-season tournament after defeating 19 other teams to clinch the Alhaji Adamu Abubakar Mohammed trophy in Abuja.
The NYSC team secured the title with a 4–1 penalty shootout victory over Access FC in the final of the competition, organised for Division One teams in the Federal Capital Territory.
The tournament featured 20 teams competing for the trophy as part of their preparations for the forthcoming football season.
According to an official statement signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations of the NYSC, Caroline Embu, the Director-General of the Scheme, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, received the victorious players in his office and commended them for their impressive performance.
Nafiu congratulated the players for their hard work, commitment and determination, noting that their triumph had brought honour to the Scheme.
He urged the team to build on the achievement by improving their football skills and maintaining discipline, focus and dedication to their sporting careers.
The Director-General reaffirmed the Scheme’s commitment to developing the players’ abilities, describing football as a viable profession and assuring them of institutional support.
“We will help develop your skills better. Football is a profession, and NYSC is proud of you,” he said.
Earlier, the Chairman of the NYSC National Football Team, Mr Usman Yahaya, expressed appreciation to the Director-General for his consistent support and encouragement, which he said had contributed significantly to the team’s progress.
The victory further highlights the NYSC’s efforts to promote sporting excellence, nurture emerging football talents and create opportunities for young Nigerians to develop their abilities and pursue professional careers in sports.
