AfriSportPro Youth League: New leaders emerge as playoff race tightens in all six conferences

The AfriSportPro Youth League in Nigeria closed Week 8 with drama and decisive results across all six conferences, reshaping the playoff picture and setting up a thrilling final stretch toward the national playoffs.

In Akwa Ibom Conference, Blessed Stars climbed to the top of the table after Blackpool FA dropped to third, losing points in a weekend draw that also saw Krane FC surge into second place. The title race in Uyo is wide open, and every fixture now carries playoff weight.

In the FCT Conference, early-season leaders Jibril FC suffered a dip in form, dropping to fourth after back-to-back defeats that saw them concede ten goals in two games. Meanwhile, Maracana FC and N-Youth Sports Academy have taken control, occupying first and second place respectively with impressive consistency and resilience.

Over in Imo Conference, Ekomzy Classic FC climbed to the summit for the first time this season following OISA FC’s weekend loss. The league table remains tight, with just a few points separating the top contenders.

In Kaduna Conference, Little Stars FA and HB FA continue their dominance, maintaining a steady grip on the top two spots with composed, disciplined football.

The Osun Conference remains the most fiercely contested battleground. Ridyem FC stays on top, but just one point separates second from fourth place, making it the most unpredictable conference in the competition.

And in Plateau Zone, Plateau United Youth climbed to first place for the first time, displacing Corner Flag FC, now second, with Joecas SC just a point behind in third.

With only three matches left before the national playoffs, the race for qualification is reaching boiling point. Scouts and agents across Nigeria and beyond are taking notice of the explosive talent, technical growth, and tactical intelligence being displayed week after week.

“This is what youth football should look like — competitive, structured, purposeful and full of potential,” AfrosportPro Youth League chief executive officer and chairman Chukwuebuka Ugwu said in Abuja. “Every weekend, you see a new name worth following.”