William Troost-Ekong U15 Boys Tournament: Blessed Stars Football Academy Crowned Champions
Blessed Stars Football Academy have emerged champions of the maiden edition of the William Troost-Ekong U-15 Boys Football Tournament after edging Artisan FC 1-0 in a tightly contested final held at the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Center, Ikot Ada Idem on June 23, 2025.
The lone goal of the match, scored in the first half, was enough to hand Blessed Stars the historic title on Monday evening. Their resilient defense and disciplined midfield display held off a determined Artisan FC side in the second half.
The tournament, an initiative of Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong, drew attention from across the football community, with Troost-Ekong himself in attendance at the grand finale. He was joined by his brother and several friends who traveled from Europe to support the event and celebrate grassroots football in Nigeria.
Following the match, Troost-Ekong congratulated the champions and all participating teams for their dedication and performances throughout the tournament. He expressed pride in the level of talent and passion displayed by the young players and encouraged them to remain committed and work hard as they pursue their football dreams. He also reaffirmed his commitment to youth development and hinted at more developmental programs in the near future, revealing that the second edition of the tournament is already being planned for January 2026.
In the third-place match, Gifted Hands Academy clinched a narrow 1-0 victory over Virgins Football Academy, securing the bronze medal position and a cash prize of ₦200,000.
For their triumph, Blessed Stars received the championship trophy and a cash prize of ₦500,000, while runners-up Artisan FC went home with ₦300,000.
The medal presentation ceremony was conducted by Troost-Ekong, flanked by the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Football Association, Mr. Samuel Umoh, and his board members, bringing the curtain down on a successful week of youth football action.
Individual accolades were also handed out to outstanding performers: Ubongabasi Ikpong of Virgins Football Academy was named Most Valuable Player, Elijah Gideon Edet of Blessed Stars was recognized as Best Goalkeeper, while a player from Gifted Hands Academy emerged as the tournament’s Top Scorer with four goals.
The tournament showcased a week of high-quality football and served as a powerful reminder of the abundant talent in the grassroots.
