Lobi Stars and Kwara United were the winners on day 2 of the North Central zone of the Npfl U17 Youth League after beating Plateau United and Niger Tornadoes respectively.
Unlike day one where fans were thrilled with 9 goals, day 2 offered something different as all the teams chose to approach their games with cautions.
The first game of the day saw Kwara United beat Niger Tornadoes courtesy of Olatunji Yusuf’s first half header from Teslim Abdulganiu’s cross.
Despite throwing everything at the game, Niger Tornadoes failed to hit the target as Kwara United won with Yusuf Olatunji voted the Man of the game.In the second game, Lobi Stars won the bragging rights against Plateau United when in the 18th minutes Terhinde Samson scored what ended up to be the winner.
The game showed the real spirit of a derby with emotions getting high and Pede Ezekiel particularly was guilty of missing goal scoring chances for Plateau United.
Dayong Elisha and Abdul Musa were both impressive for Plateau United but Martins Ugondo was everywhere for Lobi Stars as he was able to curtail the Plateau United attacks.
Both sides brought on Sule Nelson (Lobi Stars) and Daniel Aboh (Plateau United), two players who scored twice in their last games but their changes could not change the scoreline as Lobi Stars won.
While reacting to the game, Coach Babayo believes the aim of the Youth League would be defeated if young boys are not encouraged to feature for their main teams.
“Honestly, I must commend the organization of the Youth League as the competition which is aimed at catching players at their young age will definitely end up to benefit the nation as a whole irrespective of who’s team he is coming from”.
“Despite losing both games against Plateau United and Kwara United I will say I am proud of my boys as they gave in their best and the fans can also testify that the boys are young too “.
“Most of these boys were drafted into the u17 after just rounding up the u15 tournament in Minna and this experience for these boys will be golden and history will continue to bear witness but the aim of these tournament will be defeated when there are no transitions of players from this cadre to the premier league sides, he concluded”.
Olatunji Yusuf of Kwara United who is the current top scorer with three goals from two games was voted the Man of the match against Niger Tornadoes while Dayong Elisha of Plateau United impressed the technical team to be voted the Man of the match despite losing to Lobi Stars.
Lobi Stars are the current leaders with 6 points from two games while the duo of Plateau United and Kwara United are both on three points with Plateau United are second with a superior goal difference of +3 compare to Kwara United who are on 0.
Niger Tornadoes are however in fourth with zero points.Lobi Stars will have to avoid a defeat of any kind against Niger Tornadoes to be confirmed as the winner of the North Central zone.
Until we do the right thing we will never get it right Lobo stars is not under 27 but above 20 90% of them are overaged I will talk at the right time