Nigeria’s Moonluck Academy makes history in Portugal as champions of Iber Cup 2025

 Players of Moonluck Football Academy, celebrating their 2025 Iber Cup, victory, in Lisbon, Portugal.

 

History was made in Lisbon, Portugal, last week Sunday, as Nigeria’s Moonluck Academy, one of the best youth sides in Nigeria lifted the famous IberCup in their inaugural appearance.

Iber Cup is one of the largest International Youth Football Tournaments in the world which features some of the best football academies from different locations in the world.

The Nigerian side defeated Equatorial Guinea outfit, Nzalang Madrid 2-0 with goals from Daniel Mendie and Egeoluoha Okikechukwu to emerge champions in the Under 19 category for players born in 2026.

It was a festival of youth football from July 1, through July 6, 2025, as teams from Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas converged on Lisbon for the competition backed by Benfica, one of the two most decorated clubs in Portugal.

To prepare the teams for the football experience Benfica opened their Estadio da Luz as venue for the opening ceremony. An opportunity capable of building confidence of the youngsters on parade.

The Nigerians competed against three teams from Portugal: Next Level, Estoril de Praia and URD Tires as well as Ivorian side, EKFCA and Mozambique’s Academia de Chimoio, in their group.

Moonluck was domineering as their talented scorer Okikechukwu claimed the Highest Goal Scorer award with 10 goals and the Most Valuable Player award.

“It wasn’t easy to emerge champions of Iber Cup as we had to overcome several teams on our way to the finals. We worked hard to reach here, and we are on top of the world right now.

“Credit to the boys for their courage after a long trip. It’s their first time and they showed tactical and technical understanding”, co-owner of Moonluck Football Academy and CEO, MVP Sports Management, Datti Umar Yusuf, said to renowned sports journalist, Ojeikere Aikhoje.

Okechukwu was a huge revelation at Iber Cup 2025 with his impressive form in front of goal.

Apart from his goal in the finals, he scored one goal in the group match against Portuguese side, URD Tires, a brace in the 7-1 thrashing of another Portuguese side, Estoril de Praia Elite and another brace against Ivory Coast side, EKFCA.

With five goals in the group matches, he hit a hattrick in the 8-0 quarter finals victory over EKFCA. Incidentally, the quarter-finals victory was their second meeting with the Ivorians.

Okikechukwu produced more magic in the 3-2 semi-final victory over Mozambique’s Academia de Chimoio.

The Iber Cup provided a huge opportunity for several youngsters from Nigeria.

 

Influence

Highly rated as a youth development ground for youngsters, the Iber Cup has produced UEFA Champions League winners.

Six players in PSG’s UEFA Champions League winning squad passed through the prestigious Iber Cup to underscore its growing influence as a grooming ground for youngsters.

 

The players are Joao Neves, Goncalo Ramos, Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, Warren Zaire-Emery and Seny Mayulu. Interestingly, five of them have since become internationals for Portugal and France, while Mayulu plays for the France U-20 side, showcasing the power of Iber Cup.

PSG’s quest for the FIFA Club World Cup is receiving support from these players too as the club seeks to add the title to its French Cup, Ligue 1 and UEFA Champions League, won earlier.

 

About Iber Cup

The Iber Cup offers youth teams from five continents viz; Europe, South America, North America, Asia and Africa, a rare chance of showcasing their talents to a larger audience.

Since its conception in Benfica 16 years ago, the Iber Cup has grown to become one of the most attractive youth tournaments watched by scouts from clubs across Europe, Asia and the Americas.