Curtain falls on Unity 2026 pre-season tournament as NLO, others hail organizers

While the Unity Preseason 2026 tournament in Gwagwalada concluded successfully with Sensational Stars Academy emerging as champions, participating teams praised the competition for promoting grassroots football development ahead of the Nationwide League One (NLO) season.

In a statement issued on behalf of the NLO secretariat, appreciation was extended to all stakeholders whose contribution made the tournament a success.

The secretariat congratulated the Sensational Stars Academy on their historic triumph and praised all participating teams for their discipline and competitive spirit throughout the competition.

Teams featured in the tournament included Likeminds FC, Daniel FC, NSCDC FC, Neurospark FC, Paul E FC, De Royal Galaxy, Daniel Academy and eventual winners Sensational Stars Academy.

The NLO secretariat also expressed gratitude to the fans and community of Gwagwalada for their strong support during the tournament, stressing that the event once again highlighted the bright future of Nigerian football.

The clubs were also wished a successful campaign ahead of the start of the NLO season scheduled for 10 April 2026.

NLO board member and owner of Likeminds FC, Barrister Babatunde Akintade, popularly known as “Bocknor”, ​​commended the organizers and staff of NLO for the opportunity the competition provides.

“We show much appreciation to the organizers and the wonderful crew at NLO, especially the Chief Operating Officer, for giving us this momentous opportunity. The Gwagwalada FA thanks you,” he said.

The owner of the champions, Sensational Stars Academy, Thompson Ojukwu, JP, also expressed deep gratitude to the organizers for allowing his amateur team to participate in the pre-season competition.

“We remain grateful to the organizers of the NLO 1 preseason for the efficient manner in which they gave the Sensational Stars Academy the opportunity to participate in the competition that produced us as worthy champions. We give glory to Almighty God for His grace for the academy to excel,” he said.

Ojukwu also appreciated Mr. Daniel Felix for advising the academy for the tournament and commended the Vice President of Gwagwalada Football Association for helping to make the preseason event possible in the area.

The management and players of De Royal Galaxy FC also thanked the organizers for providing a platform to test their players in highly competitive matches.

The club’s owner, Nicholas Akujobi, joined other participants in praising the organizers for successfully hosting the competition and expressed hope for another edition in 2027.

Likewise, the management of Neurospark FC, through its coordinator and chief scout Alex Aroh Lawrence, expressed appreciation to the general coordinator of the tournament, Patrick Ngwaogu, for the initiative.

Lawrence noted that the tournament gave the Neurospark family the opportunity to announce their presence in the Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory and beyond.

The Unity pre-season tournament served as a preparatory platform for clubs ahead of the upcoming Nationwide League One season, whilst strengthening grassroots football in the region.