La Jeunesse Sportive de Damagaram (JSD) has emerged victorious, claiming the 2026 edition of the Regional Football Championship. In a fiercely contested final match, JSD defeated their opponent by a score of 2 goals to 1. This significant win secured the coveted title for La Jeunesse Sportive de Damagaram (JSD) de Zinder. All championship matches were held at the regional stadium in Dosso, providing a central venue for the intense competition.
Tournament Details and Standings
The championship spanned a period of eleven days, commencing on June 28 and concluding on July 8. This annual event brought together a total of eight teams, each representing one of the eight distinct regions of Niger. For the initial phase of the tournament, these teams were strategically grouped into two pools, designated as Pool A and Pool B, to facilitate round-robin play.
In Pool A, Roumbassaou FC de Maradi demonstrated exceptional form, securing the top position in their group and advancing confidently through the preliminary stages. Similarly, La Jeunesse Sportive de Damagaram (JSD) de Zinder showcased their dominance in Pool B, leading their group with strong performances. AS Liboré also distinguished itself in Pool B, finishing as the second-placed team and securing a key position in the subsequent stages of the competition.
The pathway to the national level also involved a decisive playoff. A critical barrage match was played between AS Alheri de Niamey and AS Liboré. In this key encounter, AS Alheri de Niamey triumphed over AS Liboré with a clear victory of 2 goals to 0. This win allowed AS Alheri to secure their well-deserved place in the national league, adding another strong contender to the upcoming higher-level competition.
National Qualification and Prizes
Following the conclusion of the regional championship, four teams are now set to represent their respective regions at the national level. These formidable teams include the newly crowned champions, JSD de Zinder, along with Roumbassaou FC de Maradi, AS Alheri de Niamey, and Dilerame FC de Diffa. Their qualification shows their consistent performance and determination throughout the tournament.
As a testament to their championship victory, JSD de Zinder was awarded the prestigious championship cup, alongside gleaming gold medals for the players and coaching staff. In addition, they received a substantial prize cheque of 750,000 F CFA, recognizing their outstanding achievement. Roumbassaou FC de Maradi, as the commendable runner-up, was also honored with silver medals and a significant cheque for 500,000 F CFA, acknowledging their strong performance and their journey to the final.
Season Reflection and Future
The final match of the tournament, which brought the 2025-2026 season to a close, was held on Wednesday, July 8. This championship decider pitted Roumbassaou FC de Maradi against La Jeunesse Sportive de Damagaram (JSD) de Zinder, creating an eagerly anticipated clash between two of the tournament's strongest teams. The 2025-2026 season itself had been a lengthy and demanding one, spanning a period of ten months of intense training and competition.
During the intensely contested final, the match was not without its dramatic moments. La Jeunesse Sportive de Damagaram (JSD) received a red card in the first half of the match, an early setback that tested their resolve and tactical discipline. Despite being reduced to ten men for a significant portion of the game, JSD ultimately secured the victory with a 2-1 scoreline, demonstrating remarkable resilience and teamwork to overcome the challenge and lift the trophy. This hard-fought win culminated a successful season for JSD and set the stage for their representation at the national level.