Get Guardian on GoogleFortune FA at the weekend emerged champions of the 2026 Nathaniel Idowu U-16 Football League after defeating Ajegunle United SC 4–3 on penalties in a thrilling Super Four final.
The Saturday’s games at the New Maracana Sports Complex, Tolu, Ajegunle, had all the ingredients of a great game – fantastic dribbles, hard tackles and goals.
The grand finale brought the curtain down on an exciting season of youth football, featuring the four best-performing teams from the nine-week regular league campaign: Ajegunle United SC, Fortune FA, Young Eleven FA and SC Heritage.
The Super Four provided an exciting platform for the young footballers to showcase their talents, competitive spirit and determination, with all four teams delivering entertaining performances in their quest for the ultimate prize.
To get to the final day, Ajegunle United SC was majestic as they dismantled Young Eleven FA 3–1, while Fortune FA came from behind to draw 1-1 with SC Heritage before winning the tie 9-8 on penalties.
With the match ending 1–1 after regulation time, the contest was decided by a penalty shootout. Fortune FA eventually triumphed 9–8, with Umoh Prince converting the decisive spot kick to send his team into the final.
In the bronze medal game, Young Eleven defeated SC Heritage also by penalties after the regular period had ended in a 1–1 draw. Young Eleven won by 7-8 after the shootout.
The much-anticipated final between Ajegunle United SC and Fortune FA lived up to expectations, producing an intense contest between two sides determined to finish the season as champions.
Ajegunle United took the lead in the 33rd minute through an own goal by Fortune FA’s Akeem Mojeed.
Fortune FA, however, refused to give up and continued pushing for an equaliser. Their persistence paid off in the 86th minute when Prince Amoh found the back of the net to restore parity.
With both teams locked at 1–1 after regulation time, the championship was decided through a penalty shootout.
Fortune FA held their nerve to win 4–3, with Ajegunle United’s Saka Abdulsamad and Oyebuchi Okolo missing their attempts, while Wasiu Agbato also missed for Fortune FA.
The event attracted several distinguished personalities from the sports and public sectors, reflecting the growing importance of grassroots football development and youth empowerment.
Among the notable dignitaries present were Comrade Austin Popo of the Nigeria Players Union; the Vice Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association, Adedotun Coker; the immediate past chairman of Surulere Local Council, Tajudeen Ajide, and former Super Eagles defender, Tajudeen Disu.
For their efforts, the top five teams in the league shared from the N1.95 million prize money with the champions, Fortune FA, getting N1 million, second placed Ajegunle United SC received N500,000, while Young Eleven FA (third position), SC Heritage (fourth) and fifth-placed team getting N300,000, N150,000 and N100,000 respectively.
