The Kwara Kiddies League Selected Team on Tuesday, 30 June 2026, concluded its memorable playing tour of Abuja with a courtesy visit to the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, who encouraged the young footballers to remain focused, disciplined and committed to pursuing their dreams of representing Nigeria at the highest level.
Speaking during the visit to his office, the NFF President commended the initiative behind the Kwara Kiddies League, describing grassroots football as the foundation of national football development.
He urged the players to continue working hard, maintain good character and never stop believing in their abilities, assuring them that dedication and consistency would open doors to greater opportunities.
Earlier in the day, the Kwara Kiddies League Selected Team faced the Nigeria U-17 National Team, the Golden Eaglets, in an international friendly played at the FIFA Goal Project, Abuja.
Despite a spirited performance, the young Kwara side fell 5-0 to the more experienced national team.
The friendly match formed part of the Abuja exposure tour sponsored by the Taiwo Awoniyi Foundation, an initiative aimed at providing talented players selected from clubs participating in the Kwara Kiddies League with valuable experience against elite opposition while exposing them to the standards required at the national level.
Although the result did not favour the Kwara side, the encounter provided invaluable learning opportunities for the players, who competed with determination and gained first-hand experience against one of Nigeria’s top youth teams.
The Chairman of the Kwara State Football Association, Mallam Abdullahi Musa Idris, was also present throughout the activities in Abuja to cheer the boys and demonstrate the Association’s unwavering commitment to grassroots football development.
He praised the players for their courage and resilience, encouraging them to remain focused as they continue their football journeys.
Officials of the Kwara Kiddies League described the Abuja tour as a huge success, noting that the opportunity to compete against the Golden Eaglets and meet the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation represents another significant milestone in the League’s mission of discovering, nurturing and developing the next generation of football stars from Kwara State.
The League also expressed profound appreciation to the Taiwo Awoniyi Foundation for sponsoring the exposure tour, describing the initiative as a major investment in youth development and the future of Nigerian football.