Defending champions Nigeria have repeated their success of last year by once again securing the title at the FC Bayern Youth Cup. The youngsters from the West African country ultimately prevailed over seven other teams from different nations at the World Final in Munich's Olympic Stadium. At the end of the tournament, which was held for the 10th time this year, the Nigerian team beat World Final debutants South Africa 1-0. Argentina secured third place, as they did last year, as the South Americans defeated Team Mexico 2-0.
Andreas Jung, FC Bayern board member for marketing, had personally supported the teams in the stands: "The Youth Cup and the final in Munich are something special every year. On the one hand, the tournament offers young players a perfect platform to present themselves and to be discovered. On the other hand, they also experience a special sense of community because so many young people from many different nations meet here to have fun playing sport together."
Klaus Augenthaler and Hans Pflügler choose South African Buthelezi Aphiwe as the Player of the Tournament
In addition to winning the tournament, the Nigerian team also boasted no fewer than four players in Sunday's final match involving the 16 most impressive players overall at this year's World Final - including Solomon Moses, who was named best goalkeeper. South African Buthelezi Aphiwe secured the title of Player of the Tournament, earning him a spot in the 2024 FC Bayern World Squad. The World Final top 16 faced off against FC Bayern's U17s. Despite a 3-1 defeat, the coaches of the FC Bayern Youth Cup MVPs were satisfied with the performance.
How the tournament preparation went
One day after their arrival, tournament preparation for the young players started on Thursday with a training session at Säbener Straße. Under the instructions of the home coaches as well as FC Bayern legends Klaus Augenthaler and Hans Pflügler, the young participants were given the opportunity to present their sporting talent on the FC Bayern stage for the first time. In the evening, the teams made their way to the Allianz Arena. At the home of FC Bayern, the boys were taught the values of the club by being introduced to the guiding principles of ‘Red against Racism’. The lettering of the FCB initiative for diversity and against exclusion of any kind also adorned all the jerseys. In addition, the club had already organised a small workshop on the topic of ‘Red against Racism’ with the players in their team hotel in the afternoon.
Before the participants got to know each other better at an intercultural party, the groups were divided up for the tournament. The individual groups were drawn by Michael Diederich. The FC Bayern vice-chairman emphasised how important it is that so many different nations and continents come together.
The next morning, the teams trained again at the FC Bayern training grounds. Afterwards, they visited the Olympic Park including the Olympic Stadium. The programme also included a guided tour of the Allianz Arena on the day after the final, before the stay ended with the MVP team's match against FC Bayern's U17s. The 10th edition of the Youth Cup once again showed how important the exchange of different nations and the promotion of international youth players is.
The list of participants and all information can be found here:
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