Bill Clinton, Mogadishu Set Up Women’s Football Final As CDS Youth Championship Begins

The 2026 Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Abuja Military Barracks Youth Sports Championship got off to an exciting start on Monday, with military barracks across the Federal Capital Territory battling for early honours in football, basketball and volleyball.

Organised by Defence Headquarters Nigeria, the championship is taking place at the Mogadishu Cantonment Sports Complex and the Aguiyi Ironsi Sports Complex. Teams representing Mogadishu Cantonment, Nigerian Navy Barracks, NAF Valley, NAF Base Bill Clinton, Mambilla, General AO Azazi, Shittu Alao and Lungi barracks are competing across multiple sporting events.

The opening day’s biggest talking point came in the women’s football competition, where NAF Base Bill Clinton booked their place in the final with a commanding 4-0 victory over Nigerian Navy Barracks in the first semi-final.

Mogadishu Cantonment joined them in the final after edging NAF Valley 4-3 on penalties following a pulsating 2-2 draw in regulation time.

Volleyball also produced a series of entertaining contests. Mogadishu Cantonment recorded 2-0 victories over NAF Base Bill Clinton in both the men’s and women’s categories, while Nigerian Navy Barracks registered identical wins against NAF Valley. Lungi and Mambilla also claimed opening-day victories in the men’s competition, while General AO Azazi defeated Mambilla in the women’s event.

In the basketball competition, Mambilla delivered the most emphatic performance of the day with a crushing 61-17 win over Shittu Alao in the men’s category. Lungi also enjoyed a comfortable 51-16 victory against General AO Azazi, while Mogadishu Cantonment narrowly defeated NAF Base Bill Clinton 30-27. Nigerian Navy Barracks completed the day’s action with a 43-34 triumph over NAF Valley.

Attention now turns to Tuesday’s official opening ceremony at the Aguiyi Ironsi Sports Complex, with the women’s third-place football match and a full schedule of football, basketball and volleyball fixtures set to continue across both venues.

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