Follow Us on Google
Inspire Sports Academy have emerged champions of the maiden Mobil Naija Cup, delivering an emphatic 4–0 victory over the Mobil Selected Team in the final held at the Inspire Sports Arena, Old NITEL Stadium, Oshodi, over the weekend. The triumåph secured the academy the tournament’s ₦5 million grand prize.
Sponsored by Mobil Nigeria, the competition attracted over 150 youth teams from five zones — Lagos, Akure, Benin, Ilorin, and Enugu — following the commencement of zonal playoffs on March 2 at the Inspire Sports Academy Pitch in Cappa, Lagos. The Under-16 tournament was aimed at identifying and nurturing grassroots football talent across the country.
The Mobil Selected Team featured standout players scouted from the regional qualifiers, providing an opportunity for exceptional talents whose teams did not progress to still compete at the highest level of the tournament.
Individual honours were also awarded, including prizes for Most Valuable Player and Best Goalkeeper, among others, to recognise outstanding performances and inspire young participants.
Former Super Eagles striker Victor Agali, who observed the tournament, commended the players for their quality, tactical discipline, and technical ability. He described the competition as a strong indicator of progress in youth football development in Nigeria.
Other News
“The performance reflects increasing attention to coaching at the grassroots level,” Agali noted, while encouraging the young players to stay focused and believe in their potential despite future challenges.
However, he pointed out that Nigeria still trails Europe in grassroots football development due to inadequate facilities, poor infrastructure, and limited corporate investment, calling for sustained private-sector support.
Omobolanle Oshoba, Managing Partner of Dare to Dream Sports Management Limited and Project Manager for the tournament, explained that the initiative was designed to bridge gaps in grassroots development while creating opportunities for undiscovered talents.
She added that the tournament also served as a scouting platform, ensuring that outstanding players — regardless of their teams’ final positions — were identified and given pathways for advancement.
Goriola Oladapo, Manager of Lubricant Sales and Marketing at Mobil Lubricants Nigeria, described the tournament as a strategic investment in youth development through sports. He noted that Mobil Nigeria’s partnership with Inspire Sports Academy was intentional, citing the academy’s track record of developing young players and facilitating their transition to clubs across Africa and Europe.
