The General Manager of NA-Royal FC, Alhaji Funsho Mohammed has expressed delight following the team’s hard-earned 1–0 victory over F8 Ballers FC in their opening fixture of the Round Robin League of the Nationwide League One (NLO) Cup 2026.
The Matchday One encounter, played at the Kwara Football Academy (KFA) Main Pitch, Ilorin, on Sunday, October 18, 2026, saw the Ilemona-based side secure all three points with a narrow victory over their opponents.
Speaking after the match, the General Manager described the result as an encouraging start to the competition, expressing satisfaction with the team’s performance and determination.
“I am very happy with this hard-earned victory today, especially as it is our first match of the competition. We are playing another home match next, and we hope to take full advantage of the opportunity to consolidate on this positive start,” he said.
The NA-Royal FC Chief also expressed delight at the team’s participation in the maiden edition of the NLO Cup, describing it as another important milestone in the club’s development following its impressive outing at the Dana Cup in Denmark earlier in the year.
According to him, participation in the competition provides the club with another platform to test its strength, develop its players and demonstrate its growing ambition in Nigerian football.
The official draw conducted by the Nationwide League One Secretariat placed NA-Royal FC in the highly competitive Group D, alongside F8 Ballers FC, Telu FC, EKSU Galacticus FC, ROMS FC and OBAS FC.
The Ilemona-based outfit will play a total of 10 group-stage matches, comprising five home and five away fixtures, as they seek to advance in the competition.
While acknowledging the challenges posed by the quality of opposition in the group, the General Manager expressed confidence in the team’s ability to make a significant impact.
“It is the first of its kind, and we are honoured to be part of it. Group D is tough, but we will ensure we make an impressive impact,” he added.
The General Manager also commended the team’s financier, the Elemona of Ilemona, Oba Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf, for his unwavering support and commitment to the club’s growth.
He extended his appreciation to the team’s supporters, fans and the people of Ilemona, Oyun Local Government Area and Kwara State at large for their continued encouragement, noting that their support remains vital to the club’s ambitions.
With an opening victory already secured, NA-Royal FC will now look to build on the momentum when they take to the pitch for their next home fixture, with the objective of consolidating their position in Group D and sustaining their push for success in the historic NLO Cup 2026.
