A total of thirteen victories, three draws and three defeats proved enough to see Academia Ajuwa Real Oviedo crowned champion of the Lagos Under-23 League. The division is one of the most illustrious leagues in Nigeria, and our side has now come out on top for the first time in history, as a demonstration of the potency of the Real Oviedo Foundation's project in the African country.

This success consolidates the work which has been done by the club from the capital of Asturias alongside the more than 50 youngsters who make up the Academy in the Apapa neighbourhood, one of the most humble in the nation. This triumph has seen happiness overflow into the streets and fill the locals with joy.

Iván Palacios, Head of the International Area, has praised the triumph, stating that "it's a step forward for everyone involved, having achieved something as difficult as winning this type of championship. It's brought absolute happiness to the players in our Academy. It would be something similar to an Under-19 side winning the 'División de Honor' in Spain. They are happy and satisfied, and hungry to keep working to make the jump over to Europe."

The Head of this section of the Foundation, who knows the environment and the society which the Academy forms part of, reasoned that "beyond winning the championship, it's a huge advance on a social level. It's important for the neighbourhood, where there are a lot of fans. It brings joy on a social level and reinforces the project that we have in Nigeria."

The Lagos Under-23 League has previously featured players who have gone on to become well-known in Europe, such as Odion Ighalo, Victor Osihmen, Ideye Brown and Yusuf Avila, who would later play for clubs like Napoli, Manchester United, Malaga and Granada.