Abuja All Stars Football Club began their campaign at the 2026 Abuja All Stars International Veterans Football Tournament on a winning note, defeating Nurudeen All Stars 3-0 in the opening match at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Saturday.
Key Highlights
- Abuja All Stars FC opened their 2026 Abuja All Stars International Veterans Football Tournament campaign with a 3-0 victory over Nurudeen All Stars.
- The match was played at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, on Saturday.
- The tournament features 22 teams competing in the veterans’ football competition.
- Abuja All Stars Technical Adviser, Benjohnson Favour, cautioned against reading too much into the opening victory, saying the tournament is still at an early stage.
- Favour praised his team for combining three goals with a clean sheet, describing defensive discipline as crucial.
The victory gave the hosts an impressive start to the competition, which has attracted 22 teams.
Technical Adviser of Abuja All Stars, Benjohnson Favour, however, cautioned against reading too much into the opening result, saying the team still has a long way to go in the tournament.
“It is too early to call. We are just playing our first match. We have not seen all the other teams, but we will try our best,” Favour said.
The coach expressed satisfaction with his players’ performance, particularly their ability to keep a clean sheet while scoring three goals.
“Who will not be happy when God gives you 3-0 and a clean sheet? My team tried their best to keep a clean sheet. It is very important in football because once they don’t score you, even if you score one goal, you win,” he said.
Favour also praised the organisers for the smooth commencement of the tournament, noting that their experience from previous editions had contributed to the effective coordination of the event.
According to him, the competition offers more than just football, as it provides former players with an opportunity to remain active, reconnect with old teammates and continue contributing to the development of the sport.
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He also called on Nigerians, government and other stakeholders to support sporting initiatives capable of promoting national unity and patriotism.
“You can’t be struggling to promote a country. Governments should come in and support because this is a wonderful job. It is not just about you; it is about the country as a whole,” he said.
The 2026 Abuja All Stars International Veterans Football Tournament features 22 teams competing at the MKO Abiola National Stadium.
The competition is expected to provide former footballers with a platform to remain physically active while strengthening relationships among veterans and promoting sportsmanship.
The tournament also underscores the enduring passion for football among former players, demonstrating that retirement from active football does not mark the end of their involvement in the sport.
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