The indoor sports hall of the University of Lagos came alive in early May 2007 as the annual Pepsi National U-12 five-a-side tournament got underway.

Students from the various training centres of the Pepsi Football Academy across the country proved, with scintillating displays of soccer artistry, that the future of Nigerian football not only belongs to the youth but also looks very bright.

Hundreds of PFA youngsters from the Pepsi training centres of Kano, Kaduna, Abuja, Jos, Owerri, Enugu, Aba, Sagamu, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Benin and Lagos converged to showcase brilliant displays of skill that greatly belied their ages.

Apart from the game of football, their trip to Lagos also created an atmosphere of camaraderie among the students. When they mature and find themselves as team mates in clubs and the national teams, the bonds of team spirit that has been routed in them through the Pepsi Football Academy will enhance their futures, in whatever pursuit.

Uchenna Akoma, a pint-sized midfielder in the heart of the Pepsi East 1 team displayed such wizardry in the game that spectators couldn’t but applaud his every move and deft touches on the ball.

Also, Aminu Abubakar, the Pepsi North goalkeeper, gave spectators much to cheer during the tournament.

The 2007 Pepsi Junior Colts tournament final was won by Pepsi Abeokuta 4-2 against the Pepsi North U-12’s.

May 2007