Patrick Ngwaogu 

 

No fewer than 16 youth teams will compete in the 2025/2026 edition of the ECN/COACHES U-17 Football Tournament, scheduled to kick off on Monday, January 19, 2026, in Gwagwalada, Abuja.

 

According to the official draws released on Saturday, the tournament will begin with an exciting Round 1 spread across four days. On Monday, Sensational will face ECN Global at 2pm, while Ejiwumi will battle Desert Warriors by 4pm. Tuesday’s fixtures will see Cottage FC take on Rising Stars at 2pm, followed by Prime FC versus Golden Boys at 4pm.

 

The Round 1 action continues on Wednesday with D-Royal clashing with Bocknor at 2pm and Sky FC locking horns with Netshakers at 4pm. On Thursday, Young Stars will meet Sheikhamdan at 2pm, before Medical FC squares off against Dukpa FC at 4pm.

 

Round 2 will usher teams into group battles. In Group A on Friday, January 23, Desert Warriors will play Prime Stars at 2pm, while Golden Boys face Ejiwumi at 4pm. Group B matches come up on Saturday morning, with Rising Stars versus Sensational at 10am and ECN Global against Cottage FC at 12pm. Later that day in Group C, Bocknor will face Sky FC at 2pm, followed by Netshakers versus D-Royal at 4pm. Group D fixtures are slated for Sunday, January 25, as Sheikhamdan take on Medical FC at 2pm and Dukpa FC confront Young Stars at 4pm.

 

Round 3 matches will begin on Monday, January 26. In Group A, Ejiwumi will meet Prime FC at 2pm, while Desert Warriors battle Golden Boys at 4pm. Group B games hold on Tuesday, January 27, with Cottage FC versus Sensational at 2pm and Rising Stars against ECN Global at 4pm. Group C concludes on Wednesday, January 28, as D-Royal face Sky FC at 2pm and Bocknor play Netshakers at 4pm. Group D wraps up on Thursday, January 29, with Young Stars versus Medical FC at 2pm and Sheikhamdan against Dukpa FC at 4pm.

 

At the end of the group stages, the tournament will progress to the quarterfinals, where the Winner of Group A will face the Runner-up of Group C, the Winner of Group C will meet the Runner-up of Group A, the Winner of Group B will play the Runner-up of Group D, and the Winner of Group D will clash with the Runner-up of Group B.

 

The ECN/COACHES U-17 Football Tournament is expected to showcase emerging talents and provide a strong platform for youth development, as fans in Gwagwalada look forward to two weeks of competitive grassroots football.