Nigeria-Based Football Academy Make History, Emerge Viareggio Cup Champions In Italy

Nigeria-based Football Academy, Beyond The Limits, have won the prestigious Viareggio Cup in Italy after defeating C.N Brazzaville of Congo 2-0 in the final on Monday.

The Remo Stars’ Academy became the first African and Nigerian team to win the youth competition, which is held annually in Italy and has produced numerous football stars.

Kparobo Arierhi gave Beyond The Limits an early lead with a close range finish in the 18th minute.

C.N Brazzaville’s Mafoulou diverted into his own net to condemn his team to a 2-0 loss, and ultimately a second-placed finish in the competition.

Beyond The Limits defeated the like of Carrarese, Fiorentina’s Academy, Avellino, Torino’s Academy and Ojody City FC of Nigeria on their way to the final.

The team also swept all before them in the award ceremony of the competition, Favor Apoutaziem was named the goalkeeper of the tournament, while Victory Iboro won the defender of the tournament.

The team’s coach, Ajibolade Olamide was named the coach of the tournament after leading the boys to 14 matches unbeaten in regulation time.

Olamide is delighted to make history in Italy and has cited the Kunle Soname’s commitment to Football development.

He said: “I know it’s going to be a party back home in Nigeria.

“This is a testament to the commitment we put into youth development and our president, Kunle Soname’s investment in the project”

The club has won the Nigeria Premier Football Youth League twice and The Creative Football Championship three times.

Beyond The Limits is the academy of Nigeria Professional Football League side, Remo Stars of Ikenne, which is owned by football enthusiast, Kunle Soname.

Soname is also the first Nigerian to acquire an European club when he bought C.D. Feirense of Portugal in 2015.

The Viareggio Cup World Football Tournament is a youth association football tournament held annually in the community of Viareggio, Italy and Juventus and AC Milan are the most successful teams in the history of the competition with nine titles each.