By Tayo Ogunseye
Moonlock Football Academy has qualified for the quarter-final stage of the annual IberCup U-16 Elite Youth International tournament taking place in Caiscai, Lisbon, Portugal after recording maximum points to top Group B.
The Lagos-based team opened their account with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Belenenses FC before it edged Phoenix Rising FC from the United States of America 1-0.
It’s last group game against Almeria offered the toughest encounter but the resilient Nigerians overcame the Spanish side with a 3-2 score line.
Datti Umar Yusuf, the leader of delegation in a post-match expressed his delight with the team’s impressive performance after romping to their third victory.
“We are always excited to be here and we feel great to have been given this opportunity by the management of the IberCup/Estoril to showcase our talents.”
He underscored the significance of the tournament as a critical platform for their players development.
“For we in Africa, what we need is the platform to bring our talented players to come and showcase themselves. Our players’ dream is to play in Europe and in some part of the world.”
Yusuf said he was hopeful the junior team would follow in the footsteps of the U-19 who who who the tournament last year.
“For this year’s expectations, we want to make it to the final and win it just like we won the U-19 edition. We hope and pray to do the same for the elite tournament,” he said.
