2026 Unity Pre-season Tournament Ends in Gwagwalada As NLO, participants Commend Organizers
As the 2026 Unity Pre-season tournament in Gwagwalada came to a successful close with sensational Stars Academy emerging as champions, participating teams have praised the competition for promoting grassroots football development ahead of the Nationwide League One (NLO) season.
In a statement released on behalf of the NLO secretariat, appreciation was extended to all stakeholders whose contributions made the tournament a success. The secretariat congratulated Sensational Stars Academy for their historic triumph and commended all participating teams for their discipline and competitive spirit throughout the competition.
Teams that 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 the Gwagwalada community for their strong support during the tournament, noting that the event once again highlighted the bright future of Nigerian football. Clubs were also wished a successful campaign ahead of the NLO season kickoff scheduled for April 10.
NLO Board member and Proprietor of Likeminds FC, Barrister Babatunde Akintade, popularly known as “Bocknor,” praised the organizers and the NLO crew for the opportunity provided through the competition.
“We show much appreciation to the organizers and the wonderful NLO crew, most especially the Chief Operating Officer, for giving us this epoch-achieving opportunity. The Gwagwalada FA is saying thank you,” he said.
Proprietor 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 pre-season for the efficient manner in which they gave Sensational Stars Academy the opportunity to participate in the competition that produced us as worthy champions. We give glory to God Almighty for His grace on the academy to excel,” he said.
Ojukwu further appreciated Mr. Daniel Felix for recommending the academy for the tournament and commended the Vice Chairman of the Gwagwalada Football Association for helping make the preseason event possible in the area.
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 proprietor, Mr. Nicholas Akujobi, joined other participants in commending the organizers for successfully hosting the competition and expressed hope for another edition in 2027.
Similarly, the management of Neurospark FC, through their Coordinator and Chief Scout Alex Aroh Lawrence, extended appreciation to the tournament’s General Coordinator, Mr. 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, while also strengthening grassroots football in the region.
