The 2025 Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) U-14 Boys and Naval Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA) U-17 Girls Football Championships continued with full momentum today Tuesday, May 20th, as group stage matches entered Day Two at the Police College Kaduna.
A total of eight matches have been scheduled for the day, with young talents from across the country showcasing their football skills and determination to progress in the week-long tournament jointly organized by the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) and sponsored by the Nigerian Navy.
Today’s action will begin at 10:00am, with Zamfara taking on Kebbi on Pitch B, while Kano squared off against Kogi on Pitch A in simultaneous fixtures that set the tone for an action-packed day.
At 11:00am, Nasarawa will face Bayelsa on Pitch B, just as Kwara battled Oyo on Pitch A, with both matches drawing crowds of enthusiastic supporters and scouts eager to spot emerging talents.
The third round of matches kicks off at 12:00pm, as Bauchi clashes with Ondo on Pitch B, while Niger went head-to-head with the Nigeria Army team on Pitch A in what was one of the most anticipated fixtures of the day.
Rounding off the day’s CNS Cup matches, Kaduna, the host team, will meet Plateau at 1:00pm on Pitch A, with local fans turning out in numbers to cheer their home side.
In the only match for the NOWA U-17 Girls competition, Ondo takes on Nigeria Army at 1:00pm on Pitch B, as both teams look to make a strong statement early in the group stage.
All matches will be held at the Police College Kaduna, one of the two designated venues for this year’s tournament, the other being the Ahmadu Bello Stadium.
The CNS/NOWA Cup continues to promote youth development, discipline, and national unity through sports. With more matches scheduled throughout the week, the tournament promises to deliver more excitement, passion, and discoveries for the next generation of Nigerian football stars.
The YSFON organized competitions, now at the 21st edition for the Chief of the Naval Staff U-14 Boys and 13th edition for the Naval Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA) U-17 Girls Football competitions kicked off at Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna State Nigeria on the 18th May, 2025.
The annual tournament which is a collaboration between Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) as organizers and the Nigerian Navy as sponsors attracted the participation of 18 States and FCT Abuja teams across the length and breadth of Nigeria.
The seven days competition is being hosted in two major centers, which includes Ahmadu Bello Stadium and the Nigeria Police College both in Kaduna.
In his address at the opening ceremony, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, commended the collaboration between YSFON and the Nigeria Navy which has helped to produce great football stars that has become household names in the world of football both within and outside Nigeria.
He emphasized his commitment and that of the Nigerian Navy to continue to collaborate with a reputable organization like YSFON to ensure Nigerian youths have the avenue to showcase their enormous football potentials.
He urged all participants to play according to the rules and encouraged the players to make friends and see themselves as winners by their participation in this tournament.
In her own address to declare the tournament open, the wife of the Chief of the Naval staff, who is the President of Naval Officers Wives Association (NOWA), Mrs Ijeoma Ogalla, who was represented by Mrs Victoria Bingel, encouraged the youths to display the spirit of sportsmanship throughout the duration of the tournament both in and out of the football pitch.
She wished the teams the best of luck and subsequently declared the tournament open.
