The Nathaniel Idowu U-16 Football League continued its impressive start in Week 2, with 21 goals scored across five matches at the New Maracana Sports Complex, Tolu, Ajegunle, Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Fortune FA, Ajegunle United and St. Petersburg FA were among the standout teams in an action-packed round of fixtures.
The 21 goals recorded in Week 2 followed the 22 scored in the opening week, taking the competition’s total to 43 goals after two weeks.
The performances have further highlighted the league’s potential as a platform for discovering and developing young football talents.
Fortune FA produced the biggest result of the weekend with a commanding 6-0 victory over Divinely Blessed. Odunayo Odesola inspired the victory with a first-half hat-trick, scoring in the third, 16th and 25th minutes.
Daniel Udoh added Fortune’s fourth goal before the break. Divinely Blessed were subsequently reduced to 10 players after goalkeeper Mira Odey was sent off for bringing down an onrushing attacker.
Fortune capitalised on the numerical advantage after the interval, with substitute Akanbi Quadri scoring twice in the 63rd and 70th minutes.
Agbato Wasiu also played a key role in the victory, providing four assists, including three in the first half. Odesola was named Man of the Match following his outstanding performance.
Young Eleven also secured a narrow victory in a closely contested encounter. Chiemerie Eneali scored the decisive goal in the 68th minute after both sides had played out a goalless first half.
Atico FA and Bright Stars FA played out an entertaining 1-1 draw. Timilehin Ajomale put Atico ahead in the 74th minute before Week 1 hat-trick hero Valentine Aniako equalized six minutes later.
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The goal took Aniako’s tally to four in the competition. Bright Stars midfielder Sheriff Musa was named Man of the Match for his influential performance.
Ajegunle United recorded a convincing 4-0 victory over Moore Wins in a highly anticipated derby. Peter Adoga opened the scoring in the 22nd minute after capitalizing on a goalkeeping error.
Onyebuchi Okolo doubled Ajegunle United’s advantage five minutes later. Adoga scored his second goal in the 74th minute before Okolo completed the scoring in the 81st minute with a superb low-driven free kick.
Despite difficult weather conditions, Ajegunle United controlled the encounter from start to finish. The victory also provided a strong response following the talking points surrounding their Week 1 outing.
St. Petersburg FA produced another entertaining performance against Seraphic in an eight-goal thriller. Ebuka Emeka scored twice, while David Ohaeri and Emmanuel Ebube were also on target for St. Petersburg.
Seraphic responded through Ebube Ugwunna and Fred Apoh, who scored two impressive free kicks. St. Petersburg, however, held on to claim victory in the high-scoring encounter.
After two weeks of action, Bright Stars’ Valentine Aniako leads the Golden Boot race with four goals. Fortune FA’s Agbato Wasiu has also emerged as one of the competition’s standout performers, contributing six goals and four assists.
With 43 goals already scored after two weeks, the Nathaniel Idowu U-16 Football League has made an emphatic start.
Week 3 is expected to deliver more goals, drama and emerging talents as the young players continue their pursuit of recognition and development.
NAN
