By Stella Odueme
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) football team has emerged champions of the 2026 Nationwide League One (NLO) pre-season tournament held in Abuja, beating 19 other teams to clinch the title.
The team secured the Alhaji Adamu Abubakar Mohammed Trophy after defeating Access FC 4–1 in a penalty shootout in the final.
The annual competition, organised by the Nationwide League One for Division One teams in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), featured 20 teams preparing for the new football season, NYSC Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, said in a statement on Tuesday,
Receiving the victorious players in his office, NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, congratulated them on their outstanding performance, describing the victory as a source of pride to the Scheme.
Nafiu commended the players for their hard work, commitment and determination, urging them to sustain the achievement through improved skills, discipline, focus and dedication.
"We will help develop your skills better. Football is a profession, and NYSC is proud of you," he said.
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 underscores NYSC's commitment to promoting sporting excellence, nurturing young talents and creating opportunities for Nigerians to excel in football.