Soccer for Peace: MOP Stars FC and Flying Eagles Exchange Players

In a bid to uncover new talent and use football as a vehicle for peaceful coexistence, Abuja‑based youth club MOP Stars FC hosted a friendly against the national under‑20 side, the Flying Eagles.

The match, held at the Main Bowl of Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Saturday, was a hard‑fought encounter that finished 2‑1 in favour of the national team.

Despite the loss, supporters and stakeholders praised the Peace Boys for their courage, character and tactical discipline. They highlighted the academy’s role in developing resilient young players capable of challenging a more exposed U20 side, signalling that the club is shaping the next generation of national ambassadors.

In a post‑match interview, Peace Boys coach Victor Noshiri called the performance “fantastic,” noting, “Holding the Flying Eagles to 2‑1 is a very big thing for us and the game was really nice.” He added, “It was a high‑intensity game, and the boys really fought very hard. I am so impressed with their performance today.”

Captain Edeh Ernest said, “We return all glory to God for an injury‑free game and for the score line. Of course, the U20 team is supposed to be the best in the country at this level because they are selected from different clubs by the NFF to represent the country on the global stage.” He added, “We believe in ourselves and we are going to work harder to come back stronger.”

Dr Suleiman Adejoh, president of MOP Stars FC, praised the sportsmanship displayed, stating that the match was part of a broader effort to promote national unity and peaceful coexistence through soccer. “The NFF deemed it fit to bring people together to unite and have fun, and that is why they staged this march, and to also see what our boys can do together in the near future,” he said. “MOP Stars has come to stay as a good team in the Federal Capital Territory and, by extension, Nigeria, and today’s march has defined the relationship between us and the national team.”

He continued, “The Messengers of Peace (MOP) Stars Football Academy was born out of the need to preach peace in Nigeria through sports and engage young Nigerians positively, while also contributing to the development of football.” “As you can see, the peace boys come from different states, a testament to our belief in the even development of talents across Nigeria,” he added.