Florish FA, Tunga Pillars battle for Niger Super League title, secure NLO promotion

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By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye 


The stage is set for the grand finale of the 2026 Niger State Football Association Super League as Florish Football Academy of Minna takes on Tunga Pillars on Saturday at the Bahago Stadium, Bosso Road, Minna.


The final brings the curtain down on a month-long competition that featured 40 Under-19 youth clubs from across Niger State, showcasing some of the state's brightest football talents.


Both finalists have already secured promotion to the Nationwide League One (NLO), Nigeria's third-tier domestic league. 


Widely regarded as one of the most important football leagues in the country, the NLO serves as a vital platform for discovering young talents and provides the pathway to the Nigeria National League (NNL) and eventually the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).


The Niger State Football Association organizes the state league, while the participating clubs independently fund their campaigns.


Speaking ahead of the final, Director of Florish Football Academy, Mr. Patrick Onazi, said the club is determined to complete the season unbeaten by lifting the trophy.


"Our goal is to finish the season unbeaten," Onazi told First Zealmediacast Blog.


Looking ahead to life in the NLO, Onazi revealed that the club's ambition goes beyond participation.


"My target is NNL qualification and the Challenge Cup, now called the President Federation Cup," he said.


Saturday's final is expected to produce an exciting contest as both teams battle for state supremacy before embarking on the next phase of their football journey in the NLO.

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