The maiden edition Champions of the FC Bayern Youth Cup Nigeria, Ablaze Football Academy of Ikorodu have emerged the Champions of the 7th Edition.
They emerged victorious against Inspire Sports Academy of Lagos in a thrilling finals played at Inspire Pitch, NITEL Field Oshodi, Lagos state.
Both teams put up a stellar performance leading from their various groups into the finals where they held the atmosphere charged with good football ending 0-0 at full time and 4-3 on penalties in favour of Ablaze.
Shuffle Football Academy shuffled themselves to bronze defeating Select Football Academy 2-0 in the third place game after a dramatic loss to Ablaze where inability to soak pressure denied them good last penalty kick.
Ten players were selected for Team Nigeria from the twelve teams that participated to represent Nigeria at the FC Bayern World Youth Cup later in the year.
Murtala Yusuf (Ablaze), Esho Idris (Inspire), Nyada ThankGod (Shuffle), Anayo Israel David (Select), Gorku Ishiaku (Beta), Timothy Israel (Dan), Hussaini Abubakar (Dan), Victor Juan Chiosa (Alpha), Agbonjimi Timilehin (Ablaze) and Issac Okeoghene (Ablaze)
Another ten players were selected as the FC Bayern Youth Cup Nigeria back-up team.
They are Odika Kelechi, Echeta Somtochukwu, Joseph Michael, Teslim Luqman, Henry Mathew, Ibrahim Kebira, Mathew Timothy, Yahaya Hassan, Akinmosin Michael and Aungbi Idowu.
The twelve teams that participated include, Ablaze FA, Inspire SA, Shuffle FA, Select FA, Alpha FA, Beta FA, Dan Alkali FA, FC Bako, Rangers Int’l, Femi Gbaja FA, TFA Squad and Utmost FA.
Speaking during the awards ceremony, The Tournament Director FC Bayern Youth Cup Nigeria, Mr Victor Edeh congratulated the champions and all the participants telling them that having played at the national stage of the tournament showed they are good players and can play professionally.
He said that the tournament is not all about winning but measures on other indices including attitude, openness to learning amongst others.
Mr Edeh enjoined them to continue working hard and stay focused.
Highlights of the event included presentation of certificates to the players and coaches by the FC Head of International Youth Programs, Lars Weichert and Bayern Legend, Diego Contento
