ASABA, Delta State – In a gripping semifinal showdown at the ongoing 2025 National Sports Festival (NSF), Ogun State pulled off a major upset by defeating the much-favoured Golden Eaglets team to secure a spot in the final, where they will face Kwara State.
The encounter, held at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, ended in a dramatic finish, with Ogun edging past the national U-17 side 2-1 in a tightly contested match that left fans on the edge of their seats. The result has been described as one of the biggest shocks of the tournament.
Ogun’s tactical discipline and resilience stood out, as they soaked up pressure from the skill-laden Eaglets and capitalized on their chances. The match saw an early goal from Ogun in the 12th minute, followed by a quick response from the Eaglets before halftime. However, it was Ogun’s late strike in the 82nd minute that sealed their place in the final.
Speaking after the match, Ogun State’s head coach praised his team’s determination and preparation. “We respected the Eaglets, but we didn’t fear them. We had a plan, and the boys executed it to perfection,” he said.
Kwara State, who earlier booked their final ticket with a solid performance in their own semifinal, will now meet Ogun in what promises to be a thrilling finale. The fixture is already generating excitement among sports fans, who are eager to see if Ogun can complete their fairy-tale run with a championship win.
The National Sports Festival, dubbed Nigeria’s ‘mini-Olympics,’ has continued to showcase emerging talent from across the country, with football proving once again to be a major highlight of the biennial competition.
