Silver Sports rewrites the narrative of grassroots football with the historic youth team

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By Wakawaka Sports

In an era where immediate results often take precedence over long-term development, Mbaise’s Silver Sports Football Club has chosen a different path, one which consistently attracts attention in grassroots circles.

The club made history in the 2026 Imo State Football Association (IMFA) League by fielding a team made up entirely of players aged between 10 and 18, a bold experiment which underlines its commitment to youth development.

Against physically stronger and more experienced opponents, the youngsters showed remarkable composure and resilience, losing 0-3 to Evermore, drawing 1-1 against Chika FC and narrowly losing 3-2 to Madoka FC after a spirited performance. While victories have proved elusive, their performances suggest that the future of Nigerian football may lie in giving talented youngsters the opportunity to compete at higher levels from an early age.

Most of the team’s members are still in primary and secondary schools, but they have resisted more experienced campaigners across the league, strengthening arguments for greater integration of young players into competitive domestic football.

For coach Frank Mbata, the campaign was never about short-term success, but about building players capable of representing Nigeria in the future.

His unwavering faith in young talent, despite the temptation to recruit experienced players, has become the defining philosophy of Mbaise’s club.

Club owner and former footballer Kennedy has maintained the same vision throughout the season, insisting that the sustainable development of football begins with a deliberate investment in young players.

We are building for the future, not just for today’s results,
Kennedy said. “These players have proven they can compete and, with proper guidance, in the next three or four years, many of them will be able to reach the highest level of the game.

He acknowledged that some players will eventually progress to higher institutions, a development that could affect regular training, but revealed that the club has designed a program that will allow them to continue training at least once a week while remaining attached to clubs in their respective locations to support their development.

Beyond the results, Silver Sports’ campaign highlighted the importance of structured grassroots football and demonstrated that age should not be a barrier to opportunity.

At a time when Nigerian football continues to seek sustainable avenues of talent development, the Mbaise club may have provided a model worth emulating. Their courage to trust players aged between 10 and 18 could ultimately prove more valuable than any league position, especially if the youngsters deliver on the promise made during the campaign.