Abuja, Jan. 13, 2026 (NAN) The Mop Stars Football Club Academy of Abuja has reaffirmed its commitment to youth development and grassroots football as it resumed activities for the 2026 football season.
The President of the academy, Dr Sulaiman Adejoh, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Adejoh described the academy as a long-term investment in the future of Nigerian youths and football, noting that the project, established in 2025, was designed to nurture talents from an early age through structured training and character development.
According to him, the academy has made notable progress within a short period by identifying and empowering promising young footballers with the skills, discipline and exposure required to succeed at the highest level.
“Developing young players into world-class professionals requires vision, patience and strong partnerships.
“Youth development is at the core of everything we do at the academy,” he said.
Adejoh acknowledged the support of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), particularly in the areas of mentorship, networking and international exposure, saying the collaboration had strengthened the academy’s credibility.
He said the signing of former Super Eagles player, Coach Toyin Lawal, on a two-year contract in 2025 was a major step in strengthening the academy’s developmental framework.
Adejoh said the academy recorded impressive performances in 2025, including friendly matches against Nigeria’s national youth teams.
He said the academy played the Nigeria Under-20 team and faced the Golden Eaglets (Under-17) twice at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, with one of the matches ending in a goalless draw.
“Coach Lawal’s experience at the highest level of the game has had a positive impact on the technical and mental growth of the players.
“The matches we played tested the quality of our players and also showed their readiness for higher levels of competition.
“We have secured international engagements for 2026, including friendly matches against Brentford FC, Charlton Athletic in London and Western United.
“The overseas tour, scheduled for April, is aimed at exposing the players to global football standards and markets,” he said.
Adejoh said the academy had expanded its structure to include Under-4 to Under-14 categories following the acquisition of a permanent training pitch within the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
He said the pitch, currently under construction, would be unveiled in the first quarter of the year.
“Having a permanent training facility allows us to groom talents from a very young age and prepare them systematically for future challenges,” he said.
He said the academy, whose name means “Messengers of Peace” and slogan is “Soccer for Peace”, resumed the new year with documentation and arrival of players from across the country.
Adejoh said about 30 players were already in camp, as full camping and training would begin immediately.
He said not fewer than 68 players were expected to be registered for the 2026 season, stressing that the academy remained focused on producing world-class players who would make Nigeria proud internationally. (NAN)
