Plateau and Lagos produced a thrilling 2-2 draw on the opening day of the U-19 Nigeria Independent Cup in Abuja. Nonso Arinze
The Maiden Under-19 Nigeria Independent Cup 2025 began in Abuja on Thursday, with a mix of excitement, resilience and unexpected drama across the opening matches.
At the Nyanya Football Pitch, Plateau State and Lagos State played out a pulsating 2-2 draw. Gabriel Bada gave Plateau the lead in the 44th minute before David Victor doubled the advantage early in the second half.
But Lagos mounted a spirited comeback, with Abraham Anthony pulling one back in the 63rd minute. Amir Aliu then struck an 88th-minute equaliser to ensure both sides shared the spoils.
Elsewhere, Kebbi State edged Imo State 2-1 at the Area 3 Football Pitch. Ahmed Aliyu opened the scoring inside seven minutes, before Hayatudeen Haruna doubled Kebbi’s advantage in the 15th minute. Imo struggled to impose themselves but grabbed a late consolation through Promise Ani’s 89th-minute penalty.
The day’s final fixture between Kano and Benue was abandoned after 20 minutes when a torrential downpour left the pitch waterlogged, forcing officials to call off the game.
Day One highlighted both the fighting spirit and raw talent of Nigeria’s youth footballers. From Lagos’s late heroics to Kebbi’s early dominance and the weather disruption in Nyanya, the tournament’s opening round offered a glimpse of the unpredictability and excitement still to come.
Writing by Arinzechi Chukwunonso
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