It will be a classic battle of Goliath versus David in the final of the 2026 NLO Unity Preseason Tournament taking place in Gwagwalada, as Nationwide League One (NLO 1) side Likeminds FC of Gwagwalada lock horns with non-league outfit Sensational Stars Academy, also of Gwagwalada, on Friday.

 

The much-anticipated encounter will bring the curtain down on the Gwagwalada centre of the Unity Preseason Tournament, a competition held with the full support of the Nationwide League One as part of preparations for the 2026 league season.

 

Likeminds FC, one of the top teams in NLO 1, booked their place in the final after finishing top of Group A with seven points. The Gwagwalada-based club edged past other NLO 1 teams in the group, including De Royal Galaxy FC, Paul E FC and Daniel Bee Academy.

 

Their campaign started with a 1–1 draw against Paul E FC on Match Day 1 before bouncing back with an impressive 3–1 victory over Daniel Academy on Match Day 2. Likeminds sealed their place at the summit of the group with a narrow but decisive 1–0 win against De Royal Galaxy FC on Match Day 3.

 

On the other side of the draw, Sensational Stars Academy emerged as the surprise package of the tournament. The young academy side, the only non-league club participating in the competition, finished top of Group B with seven points ahead of Neurospark FC, Daniel FC and NSCDC FC.

 

Sensational Stars opened their campaign with a 1–0 victory over Daniel FC and followed it up with another slim 1–0 win against NSCDC FC. Their final group match against Neurospark FC produced one of the most dramatic moments of the tournament as the academy side scored a last-minute equaliser to earn a 1–1 draw and secure top spot in the group.

 

The final match will be played at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital Football Field in Gwagwalada and is expected to attract a large crowd of football enthusiasts from across the Federal Capital Territory.

 

Adopted by the Secretariat of the Nationwide League One (NLO) as the official preseason tournament ahead of the 2026 league campaign, the competition has delivered thrilling encounters and dramatic twists across both groups, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting grand finale on Friday.