Hosts Ogun State have booked their spot in the men’s football final at the 2024 National Sports Festival after a thrilling 2–1 win over the Golden Eaglets in the second semi-final of the tournament.
Kwara State secured their place in the final earlier in the day, edging Kaduna 1–0 thanks to a well-taken goal by Muhammed Abdullahi just after the hour mark.
Ogun, fuelled by home support, struck twice to take a firm grip on their semi-final before the Golden Eaglets pulled one back, setting up a nervy finish. Despite the late pressure, the hosts held firm to clinch a memorable win.
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The final will take place on Tuesday at the Moshood Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, with kickoff scheduled for 6:00 PM. The third place match between Kaduna and the Golden Eaglets is set for 9:00 AM at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.
Editorial
There’s something poetic about a host team rising to the occasion, and Ogun State has done exactly that. Their progression to the final of the men’s football event at the National Sports Festival isn’t just about goals and wins it’s a statement of intent.
Against a team like the Golden Eaglets, renowned for producing future stars, Ogun’s victory speaks volumes. This wasn’t just a contest of local pride it was a clash of Nigeria’s present and future. And Ogun, playing with grit and ambition, showed they belong on the national footballing stage.
The significance of reaching the final on home soil cannot be overstated. With fans behind them and momentum on their side, Ogun now face Kwara in what promises to be a fiercely competitive finale. Kwara’s narrow win over Kaduna showed their mettle, and they’ll be no pushovers come Tuesday evening.
Yet, we believe this moment is bigger than any single team. It reflects the strength of youth football in Nigeria and the continued relevance of the National Sports Festival as a pipeline for raw talent. With Ogun and Kwara preparing to battle for gold, the real winners are the fans who get to witness this next generation in full flight.
A final under the floodlights at Moshood Abiola Sports Arena it doesn’t get much better than this.
Did You Know?
- The Golden Eaglets are Nigeria’s U17 national team and hold a record five FIFA U17 World Cup titles.
- Ogun State last reached the men’s football final of the National Sports Festival in 2006.
- Kwara State is known for producing several top Nigerian athletes across multiple sports, not just football.
- The Moshood Abiola Sports Arena, though smaller than the Abuja stadium of the same name, remains a key venue in Ogun State’s sports infrastructure.
- The National Sports Festival is often dubbed “Nigeria’s Olympics” due to its role in talent discovery and national integration.
