The Lagos State football contingent to the 9th National Youth Games kicked off their campaign in emphatic fashion, recording convincing victories in both the boys’ and girls’ categories on Day One of the competition. Playing at the St. Patrick College field in Asaba, the boys’ team showcased flair, discipline, and clinical finishing as they dismantled Yobe State 4-0 in their opening Group D fixture.
The match began with Lagos asserting dominance early, and it was Awwal Abeeb who made the difference in the first half with a composed strike that put the boys from the Centre of Excellence ahead before the break. In the second half, Lagos turned on the style as Joseph Michael doubled the lead with a well-placed effort, before Amodu Samuel sealed the victory with a fine finish to ensure a comfortable 4-0 scoreline. The win places Lagos at the top of their group, which also features hosts Delta State and Nasarawa.
Tomorrow promises to be a tougher test as Lagos face hosts Delta State in what is expected to be a fiercely contested encounter at the same venue, with kickoff scheduled for 3:00 pm. A victory would put Lagos in pole position to qualify from the group and strengthen their claim as one of the tournament’s favorites.
Meanwhile, the Lagos girls’ team also started brightly, brushing aside Bayelsa State 2-0 in their opening game. Kemi Adegbuyi broke the deadlock with a smart finish, while Rafiu Tosin doubled the advantage with a clinical strike to cap off a dominant performance. The result highlighted the depth of Lagos’ football program as both teams aim to make strong impressions in Asaba.
After the matches, Coach Adeshina Yusuf praised his players for sticking to their game plan and maintaining discipline throughout. He urged them to remain focused on the bigger picture, stressing that consistency would be key to success in the coming days. Echoing his sentiments, Lagos State Football Association Chairman, Hajia Gafar Liameed, described the victories as “impressive” and reassured the players that their efforts would be adequately rewarded as they continue their quest for glory at the Youth Games.
