Rivers Utd, Remo open NPFL Youth League finals in Benin

The 2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Youth League finals will kick off on Saturday in Benin City with Rivers United and Remo Stars opening the title deciding championship at 2pm at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

The second fixture of the day will be between Plateau United and Katsina United.

It promises to be a carryover of the rivalry in the senior cadre when Rivers United, winner of the South-South zone take on the Ikenne Billionaires, Remo Stars.

Five teams had emerged from the zonal qualifiers which were held in Lafia, Kaduna, Enugu, Port Harcourt and Ado Ekiti.

Those five, namely Plateau United, Katsina United, Rangers International, Remo Stars and Rivers United are the youth teams in Benin for the Championship finals.

Pastor Emeka Inyama who is heading the organising committee has said the idea was consistent with FIFA’s developmental football plans which require every club in the elite cadre of leagues in member Federations to have junior teams.

He is also appreciative of the support from the Edo State Government which has partnered with the NPFL to host the finals.

Inyama reiterated the importance of the youth league in creating a synergy between grassroots and professional football.

“The Government of Edo State has been very supportive of this initiative which is not surprising because the state has been a hub for sports in Nigeria”, Inyama told NPFL Media.

All the five teams will play each other over the next six days to determine the winner with the highest points.