For months, Magic Stars Football Club has been preparing for the prestigious Viareggio tournament, one of Europe’s oldest youth football event.
Viareggio Cup, also known as Coppa Carnevale is held annually during the Carnival of Viareggio in Italy.
The Lagos-based academy hopes to make a statement by reaching the finals of the tournament last won by fellow Nigerian side, Beyond Limits Football Academy (BLFA).
Magic Stars have been making waves locally since their establishmentent in 2021. The club has rapidly risen through the ranks, after about three seasons in the Nationwide League (the country’s third-tier football), earning promotion to the Nigerian National League (NNL) in 2024 with an impressive unbeaten record.
However, after careful consideration, the team decided not to participate in the NNL.
“We are excited to be among the teams participating in the 75th edition,” Isaac Oluwatobi said in an interview with Myleaguewire.
“We have been preparing extensively for this tournament. The boys are ready and we have played friendly matches against teams experienced in Viareggio to prepare our players.”
Despite making their international debut, the club is confident that its team will make Nigeria proud.
“While this will be the first international trip for most of our players, we have prepared them mentally to stay focused. We are confident that our team will make the country proud with our performance.”
“Nigerians can expect exciting football and positive results from us. We are optimistic that the boys would return victorious,” he said.
Oluwatobi revealed that Magic Stars FC is committed to nurturing young players and providing them with opportunities to showcase their skills globally.
With approximately 40 players under the age of 19, the club is eager to take its talents beyond Africa.
“We hope that with Viareggio, our players will begin to get the right exposure and take their career to the next level,” he said.
Myleaguewire understand that Beyond Limits Football Club, Ojodu City FC and Ijele FC are other Nigerian teams that have been confirmed as participants for the tournament taking place in March this year.
Beyond Limits FA became the first African side to win Viareggio following a victory over Republic of Congo’s Centre National Brazzaville FC in last edition final.
Other Nigerian clubs at the previous edition include Ojodu City FC, Mavlon Football Club and Alex Transfiguration.
AC Milan and Juventus FC are the most successful clubs with nine trophies each while Fiorentina and Inter Milan have won the tournament eight times apiece.
