The 2026 FirstBank/Samuel Okwaraji Foundation U16 Inter-Secondary Schools Football Tournament has kicked off its zonal qualifiers, with games underway in Abuja, Kano, Lagos and Owerri.
In the North-Central zone, six schools are competing for a spot in the next round at the Sunrise Sports City in Abuja, which is serving as the host venue for the Abuja qualifiers.
The six participating teams have been divided into three groups, with each group featuring two teams.
In Group A, Government Secondary School, Mabushi, will face Spate Ajele Community Secondary School, Ilorin, on September 20.
Meanwhile, Group B will see Holy Trinity College, Lokoja, take on Hill Top Model School, Minna.
The third fixture of the day will be in Group C, where Government Secondary School, Lafia, will lock horns with St. John College, Jos.
With only two teams in each group, the group winners will automatically advance to the semi-finals, while the best loser among the three group runners-up will join them to complete the last-four lineup.
The Abuja qualifiers are expected to provide a competitive platform for young footballers from the North-Central zone to showcase their talent as they battle for honours in the youth tournament.
The zonal qualifiers in Kano, Lagos and Owerri are also part of the nationwide programme designed to identify and promote promising secondary-school football talents.
