By Akintunde Akinsemola
It was all to play for in the final game of the 2024 NPFL Youth League between Rivers United and Katsina United as the two U-17 sides locked horns for the first prize.
The Rivers United boys came into the game on the front foot and looked to apply pressure quickly but the boys from Katsina were stable defensively.
The deadlock was however broken in the 29th minutes as Seiyefa Jackson gave Rivers United the lead.
The floodgate of goals was however opened as Katsina United U-17 struck back just seven minutes later through Aliyu Abass.
It thus ended one-all at the break.
Play soon resumed in the second half and Rivers United started where they left it with David Benjamin restoring the lead for them.
Their lead was soon increased to a two-goal advantage when Agha George struck home to make it 3-1.
Katsina United also showed their worth, striking once more through Usman Abdullahi to reduce the deficit.
The Rivers United boys did not rest on their laurels but instead restored their two-goal cushion through David Benjamin for his brace in the 85th minute.
On the road to the final, Rivers United garnered 10 points,with victories over Remo Stars, Katsina United and Rangers International and ending it all square against Plateau United who finished second.
The highest goal scorer at the tournament was Rivers United Seiyefa Jackson who netted four times, with team mate Oscar Ozornwafor emerging the most valuable player of the tournament.
The NPFL Youth League is a platform for the discovery of new talents in Nigeria, in a bid to catch them young and help to develop the game in the country.