Former Super Falcons star Ayisat Yusuf has announced that the 10th edition of the SheFootball program will be a landmark event, promising an “explosive” and impactful experience aimed at empowering young girls through football. The annual initiative which uses the sport as a platform to educate and uplift girls is set to engage over 5,000 girls and includes mentorship sessions, football matches and development activities.
The milestone edition is scheduled to kick off on January 3, 2026, at Anglican Primary School, Ilado, Badagry, with seminars and games planned throughout the day. Organisers also announced plans for a larger summer event later in 2026, where top European football agents will be invited to help identify and nurture grassroots talent a first in the programme’s history.
Yusuf said she takes “great joy” in providing a platform where young girls can showcase their talent, learn from professionals and gain insights into life and career opportunities through football.
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Editorial
In the tapestry of Nigerian football, Ayisat Yusuf’s SheFootball initiative has grown into something far more significant than just a grassroots tournament it has become a movement for opportunity, empowerment and transformation. The announcement of the tenth edition, with promises of an explosive and impactful gathering, carries weight not merely because of the numbers involved, but because of the purpose it serves in a society where access and exposure for young girls in sport is still uneven.
From its early years when a handful of girls gathered to kick a ball and dream SheFootball has matured into a platform where aspirations take shape, and where mentorship is woven with practical engagement. The scale of the upcoming edition, with over 5,000 participants, speaks to the latent hunger for structured pathways in women’s football across Nigeria. It is a testament to the idea that talent, when nurtured with intention and resources, can flourish not just in elite clubs but in communities often overlooked by mainstream development programmes.
Seminars and expert mentorship underscores a crucial understanding, football is not only a game of physical skill but one of knowledge, resilience and self-belief. In hosting sessions that connect girls with professionals, SheFootball blurs the lines between grassroots participation and informed development offering both technical insight and life skills. The planned summer event with European agents further amplifies this vision, hinting at a future where local talent is not just showcased but connected to global opportunities.
Yusuf’s own journey a player who broke barriers to represent her nation permeates every aspect of the initiative. She understands that pathways to success are seldom linear, and often require structural support that many young girls lack. By creating an environment where participants can see, learn and aspire, SheFootball is doing more than building footballers it is building confidence, expanding horizons and challenging societal norms about who belongs on the pitch.
As this milestone edition unfolds, its legacy will not be measured merely in goals scored but in voices lifted, dreams validated and opportunities unlocked. In a country where football can unite millions, SheFootball is a blueprint for inclusion one that demands both celebration and replication.
Did You Know?
- Mass Participation The upcoming 10th edition of SheFootball is expected to engage more than 5,000 girls in football activities across various age groups.
- Event Venue and Date The programme starts on January 3, 2026, at Anglican Primary School in Ilado, Badagry, featuring a seminar and football matches.
- Mentorship Focus SheFootball includes mentorship programmes with top professionals, aiming to educate participants on succeeding in life through sport.
- European Agent Involvement Organisers plan to bring top European football agents later in 2026 to help identify and nurture grassroots talent.
- Founder’s Background Ayisat Yusuf founder of the SheFootball Initiative is a former Nigerian international and FIFPRO Merit Award recipient celebrated for her work in women’s football development.
