D’souza Football Academy leaves a strong mark in MFA Award Nights for YPL 2023-24 season

by Chittu Shetty April 24, 2025

D’souza Football Academy has once again solidified its position as a leading force in Mumbai’s youth football scene picking up 17 nominations and 3 wins in Individual award categories during the recent MFA Award Nights for YPL 2023-24 Season.

D’souza Football Academy continues to leave its mark in Mumbai Youth football scene after its impressive performance at the MFA Award Nights for the Yuva President League (YPL) 2023-24 season. The academy’s push in nurturing young talents was emphatically recognized with a remarkable haul of 17 nominations and 3 well-deserved wins across various age categories.

Consistency in Youth Development

This year’s accolades continue a trend of excellence for Dsouza Football Academy, which has remained a consistent title challenger across age groups for the past three seasons. Their track record at the YPL speaks volumes about the academy’s focus on player development, tactical discipline, and winning mentality.

From winning titles to earning individual accolades, the academy’s teams and players have proven to be a force to reckon with on the Mumbai football scene.

Remarkable Performances Across Age Categories

• Under-13 Boys – 4th Place
  Head Coach: Samson Jones
  The U13 boys played some exciting football throughout the season, narrowly missing out on the podium. Four players were nominated for individual awards, which just showed the depth of talent within the squad:
  • Mateen Mosaani – Best Goalkeeper Nominee
  • Ayush Gupta – Best Midfielder Nominee
  • Malank Shetty – Best Defender Nominee
  • Krsn Shetty – Best Forward Nominee
• Under-15 Boys – Champions
  Head Coach: Nishad Mandalkar
  The U15 side emerged as champions in their category with standout performances throughout the campaign.
  • Dhveer Shah – Best Goalkeeper Award Winner
  • Sarvesh B – Best Defender Nominee
  • Yohaan Dsouza – Best Midfielder Nominee
  • Nirvaan Jain – Best Forward Nominee

• Under-17 Boys – 3rd Place
  Head Coach: Joseph Dmello
  The U17 boys finished strong, securing a third-place finish with a balanced squad that received multiple individual award nominations:
  • Divit Malkani – Best Goalkeeper Nominee
  • Arya Upadhyaya – Best Defender Nominee
  • Ethan Dsouza – Best Midfielder Nominee
  • Saket Garude – Best Forward Nominee

• Under-14 Girls – Champions
  Head Coach: Clayton Dsouza
  The U14 girls remained unbeaten through most of the season and clinched the title in dominant fashion.
• • Norah Bhattacharya – Best Player Nominee

• Under-17 Girls – 3rd Place
  Head Coach: Nishad Mandalkar
  A fantastic campaign capped off with two award winners and two more nominations.

• • Samruddhi – Best Goalkeeper Winner
  • Vamika Udeshi – Best Defender Nominee
  • Divya Basantani – Best Midfielder Nominee
  • Yashika – Best Forward Winner

Mumbai Premier League 2024-25: A Season in Numbers

A Vision Driven by Passion

At the heart of this success lies the clear and ambitious vision of Clayton Dsouza, founder and director of the academy. A certified coach with a background in grassroots development and a relentless passion for the game, Clayton has nurtured an environment where young players are not just taught football — they’re developed as athletes and individuals. His mission to provide structured, high-quality football education in Mumbai has laid a strong foundation for long-term success.

“Our mission is to nurture personal growth while instilling the values of sportsmanship, respect, and teamwork. Through our dedicated efforts, we strive to produce skilled football players who embody the spirit of fair play and contribute to the advancement of sports in our country.” says Clayton.

Expanding Reach Across Mumbai

As an AIFF Accredited Academy, Dsouza Football Academy has made access to quality coaching easier for young footballers in the city. With operational centers at Mira Road, Borivali, Malad, Goregaon, Andheri, and Bandra, the academy ensures that passionate players from all corners of Mumbai have the opportunity to train and grow under certified coaches.

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