Bayelsa Starlets Football Academy, an affiliate of Spanish giants FC Barcelona, will battle 13 other teams in the Yenagoa centre of the 2026 Nationwide League One (NLO) season.
The Yenagoa-based academy has been drawn alongside teams from across the Southsouth zone following the release of fixtures by the league organisers.
According to the NLO, five clubs from Yenagoa will feature in the centre. They are Mountain of the Lord Deliverance Ministry FC, Bayelsa United Feeders, AJ Inter Soccer FA, Bayelsa Football Academy and Bayelsa Starlets Academy.
They will be joined by Winsome Feeders FC (Delta), Benedi United FC (Rivers), Dolphin Academy FC (Rivers), Impact YWAM FC, Rivers Obago FC (Rivers), Iwere FC (Delta), Junosa FC (Edo) and Uchenna Kanu Football Academy (Akwa Ibom).
The new season kicks off on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.
The Starlets, who featured in the just-concluded Bayelsa United/Prosperity Cup pre-season tournament, have intensified preparations with a series of friendly matches.
Deputy Director-General of the Prosperity Cup, Perela Aboro, said the NLO remains a key pathway for young talents to the domestic leagues, national teams and Europe.
“I am happy that the NLO will be starting on August 15. As you are aware, the NLO is a league that provides opportunity to give young players the platform for greatness,” Aboro said.
“For Bayelsa Starlets, I am confident that the lads will put up a very good display because the team is blessed with an abundance of talents and an experienced Technical Adviser, Edema Fuludu.”
Assistant Coach, Freeborn Onome, said the Prosperity Cup pre-season tourney had given the team a clear picture of the task ahead, adding that the technical crew was leaving nothing to chance.
