The second phase of the NPFL/La Liga U-15 Youth League entered Day 2 today with Heartland and Katsina United bouncing back to winning ways from their first game losses to MFM and Warri Wolves respectively.
The Young Naze Millionaires were unbeaten in the first phase that ended last weekend with three wins out of three games but it was halted by determined MFM who pipped them by a lone goal on Monday while the Young Seasiders obliterated the reigning champions, Katsina United 4-1.
Today, Heartland managed to fend off the stubborn Lobi Stars by 1-0 to move to three points from two games ahead of tomorrow’s blockbuster fixture with Akwa United. Uzom Testimony notched the only goal of the game in the 19th minute.
Katsina United who are the defending champions managed to beat Kano Pillars to earn their first win as well. Umar Abubakar put the Junior Changi Boys in the ascendancy in the ninth minute before Khalifa Aminu doubled the lead in the 24th minute. Ahmad Hassan reduced the deficit in the 30th minute for Pillars but it was too little too late as Katsina United held on to win the game 2-1.
Warri Wolves played a goalless draw with Kwara United to move to four points while MFM and Akwa United ended their affairs in another goalless draw. The Young Promise Keepers are joint top with MFM with four points each.
Tomorrow, four teams will qualify from the remaining eight to the semi-final. MFM will face Lobi Stars with a win guaranteeing the Junior Olukoya Boys a place in the last four. Heartland and Akwa United lock horns in the second game of the group with the winner also assured of a place in the semi-final.
In the second group, Warri Wolves will trade tackles with Kano Pillars in another tough tie while Kwara United and Katsina United are also slated to face each other tomorrow.
