Beyond Limits Academy has become the first Nigerian and African team to win the Viareggio Cup after they defeated C.N Brazzaville from Congo 2-0 in the final on February 26, 2024.
The Viareggio Cup is a youth football tournament held annually in the commune of Viareggio, Italy and is considered one of the most important youth football tournaments in the world.
Kparobo Arierhi shot Beyond Limits Academy, Remo Stars youth side into the lead after 18 minutes with a close range finish before an own goal from defender Mafoulou sealed victory for the two-time NPFL Youth League champions.
The win was also the first time in 11 years that a foreign club will win the title.
The Ikenne-based team had defeated a host of football teams, including Carrarese, Fiorentina’s Academy, Avellino, Torino’s Academy and Ojody City FC from Nigeria on the way to their maiden appearance in the final of the competition. They scored a total of 24 goals and conceded three in seven games.
Reacting to their triumph, Beyond Limits Academy wrote on their X page:
“We have competed, we have conquered, we are champions. All the way from Ikenne to Italy, our boys are the winners of the 74th Viareggio Cup.”
Following their triumph, Favor Apoutaziem and Victory Iboro won the best goalkeeper and best defender awards at the tournament, while Ajibolade Olamide was named coach of the tournament.
Italian giants AC Milan and Juventus are the record winners of the Viareggio Cup, with nine triumphs each.
