Future Eagles: 16 talents from Osun for National Finals

Akanni Seyi

The total number of sixteen promising talents have been selected from the state of Osun both in U-13 and U-15 categories for NFF/Zenith Bank regional and final  tournaments coming up in June. 

The selected players were exceptional during the 2018 NFF/Zenith Bank Western Nigeria Football Tourney in Sagamu.

Recall that state of Osun FA lads had impressive  outings by claiming the most coveted trophies available in both categories under the tutelage of hardworking coach and disciplinarian who holds CAF 'C' licence, Abdul Rasaq Abdul Azeez (Hoppers).

According to Coach Siji Lagunju, the assistant Technical Director of Nigeria Football Federation who is equally the chairman, South West 'Selection Committee', nine (9) players were chosen from Osun FA U-13 winning squad while seven (7) players were drawn from the state's U-15 boys.

Ayodele Ismaila, Lateef Toyeeb, Komolafe Samson, Adebayo Hamed, Asagidigbi Polola, Durodoye  Afeez, Ibrahim Usman were selected from U-15 while Adebayo Juwon, Muritala Mohammed, Adekambi Jeremiah, Oke Peter, Oyedeji Segun, Obasan Ademola, Kofi Samuel, Akanfe Daniel and Adekunle Toyeeb were selected from the state's U-13 lads.

The National Finals for the cadet championship (U-13) and group stages for U-15 would kick start in Uyo from June 1st to June 5th while National Finals for U-15 boys would be held in Asaba Delta State between 5th and 8th of June. 

It is believed that all participating players would be screened at the venue and each player must produce his birth certificate and the academic report card from last term school activities.

#NLO19: Jide Taiwo optimistic ahead of 'New Season'

Akanni Seyi

The wait is finally over as ambitious Gbagada FC are set for new lease of life in Nationwide League One (Division One) when they begin their quest for promotion on Saturday against  Collins Edwin Sports Club in one of the NLO Week One fixtures at Legacy Pitch Surulere, Lagos.

The 'Blue Eagles' secured a promotion in their first season in Nationwide League Division Two last season after a stellar display in Ibadan Centre.

In a chat with codedreporter.blogspot.com.ng one of the club's most priced assets, Jide Taiwo is confident of positive results and a blissful season ahead.

"We have determined to approach the season with vitality, vigor and brisk momentum, after a rigorous preseason preparations.

"Our aim is to have a fantastic season and qualify for Nigeria National League play off, we would approach each game as if it's a cup final."

A reliable, inform and dynamic play maker who in the time past had carried the team on his shoulder hopes for fascinating season with the injection of talented lads such as Onawale Rilwan, Edema Peter, Abubakar taofik and Adebole Rasheed into the team. 

"With new guys joining us, the spirit is so high and we won't forget to bite and play a purposeful football. Therefore, our opponents should be ready for fireworks irrespective of where we play." Concluded ex Savannah FC of South Africa versatile midfielder.

With the coming on board of some lofty corporate establishments, Akinyelu Olajide tutored side would try as much as possible to be fans delight in their sojourn in 2019 league season.

No going back on NLO Thursday kick off – Ogunnowo

Chief Operating Officer of the Nationwide League One, Olushola Ogunnowo, has stated that there is no going back on Thursday’s kick off for the nations third tier league.


The astute football administrator said that the league will kick off as scheduled May 23, with opening league match between Oyah Sports FC of Suleja and FC Solid Unit of Plateau State at the Awwal Ibrahim Suleja Township Stadium, Suleja.


Ogunnowo stated further that NLO partner Deebeetee Projects Ltd will do live streaming of the opening game between Oyah Sports and FC Solid.


"The essence of the live streaming is to showcase the quality of the country's third-tier league to world via the social media."


Ninety (90) clubs will compete in the NLO Division One.

Osun FA Election: Otunba Mustafa, Prince Bamidele jostle for the top seat

Akanni Seyi



Death arrives among all that sound
like a shoe with no foot in it, like a suit with no man in it, comes and knocks, using a ring with no stone in it, with no finger in it, stillness has finally  part the darling of our life from us.


The sudden demise of Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi has occassioned the interim regime of one of the then executive board members in Prince Ademola Bamidele to succeed the late chairman.



As directed by the Nigeria Football Federations, fresh elections must be conducted by affiliated states before July this year, based on the foregoing, the electoral processes has since began in the state with FA members and non members seeking to occupy one office or the other.



The electoral committee in the state under the chairmanship of Barrister Taiwo Awokunle gathered to screen all aspirants seeking various offices in the state of Osun Football Association.

Prince Ademola Bamidele

Prominent amongst those screened were Otunba Isola Rasaq Mustafa (Ajiroba Ooni) from Ile-Ife and acting chairman, Prince Ademola Bamidele from Ikirun who were vying for chairman's office.



Apart from Chairman's office, member from Obokun zone would wittingly emerge by election because it's a walk in the park in the remaining zones where members would return unopposed.



Chairman of Obokun Local Football Council who is also the secretary of Ijesa Local Football Council, Mr. Olufemi Bankefa would be aiming for another tenure while he would be challenged at the poll by one time permanent secretary in the state, Elder Adelowo Adewumi.



Hon. Sulaimon Adio who is a board member has picked the vice chairman's form and no one would challenge him as he would be  elected unopposed.

Otunba Mustafa (Ajiroba Ooni) 

Prince Dauda Abimbola (Iwo Zone), Engr. Kehinde Aina (Ila Zone), first timer Mr. Fayoyiwa Olusola (Osogbo Zone), Mr. Salami Fatai (Ejigbo Zone) would be returned elected without oppositions.



As stated by the scribe of electoral committee, Mr. Amoo Abayomi, the election proper will take place on 17th of June 2019, in a yet to be decided venue.



Meanwhile, the inaugurated appeal committee's door has since been opened for anyone who felt otherwise during the screening. The battle line has been drawn on who succeed Ogunjobi. June 17th would be a day where ballot would be stronger than the bullet with free, fair and credible poll as promised.

Coach Samson Unuanel drags Sunshine Stars, ODSFA, to court, seeks 131Million naira compensations

Coach Samson Unuanel has dragged his former employer, Sunshine Stars owned by Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA), before National Industrial Court, Abuja over alleged unlawful dismissal.

Unuanel who is the current Coach of Osun United is also seeking for payment of N21.1 million, being the balance of the salary he would have earned if the defendant had not sacked him.

When the matter came up for mention before Justice Kiyersohot Damulak on Tuesday, the claimant’s counsel, Mr Ayodele Justice informed the court that the defendant had been served.

Justice further said the defendant who was absent and did not have legal representation in court had filed some processes.

The judge then instructed that hearing notice should be served the defendant and proof of service be kept in the case’s file.

He also adjourned the matter until June 4 for hearing.

The claimant, Unuanel in his statement of facts said he approached the court to seek redress when his contract with the defendant was terminated two months into the commencement of the contract.

He added that the terms of the contract which was stipulated to start from Jan. 1, 2016 and end on Dec. 31,2018, pegged his salary at N700,000 monthly, totaling N25.2 million in the three years the contract was expected to last.

The coach also averred that he was however paid two months before he was dismissed.

Unuanel added that  the defendant later paid him another N2.7 million in March and June, 2018.

He said efforts to make the defendant to pay the balance of the contractual sum of N21.1 million had proved abortive, hence his instituting the suit.

In his relief, he is seeking the court to declare the act of the defendant as breach of contract.

Unuanel is also seeking an order of the court for the payment of N100 million as general damages and another N10 million as the cost of prosecuting the suit.

News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN), reports that Unuanel was a former Kwara United, Niger Tornadoes, Enyimba Coach and Assistant Coach of Nigeria’s Women National team, Super Falcons. (NAN)

NPFL: OGUNBOTE VOW TO SEND RIVERS UNITED BACK EMPTY HANDED

Technical Adviser of seven time Nigeria league champions, Rangers International F.C, Coach Olugbenga Ogunbote has vowed to send visiting Rivers United F.C back to their base empty handed in a re-arranged match day 21 fixture inside the main bowl of Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium, Enugu.


The vastly experienced gaffer who has already led the ‘Flying Antelopes’ to the end of the season’ Super six tournament with 37 points from 20 matches said after the last training session with his wards, Saturday, that the team was fully set to pay back Rivers United in their own coin after been handed a 3-0 bashing in the reverse fixture.


Coach Ogunbote said, “We thank God for having qualified for the end of the season championship and by Monday, May 21, 2019, when we play Rivers United, we hope to give a very good account of ourselves so as to make us end the season on home soil very palatable.”


On the postponement of the fixture, Coach Ogunbote said, “I believe it was done in good faith so that there will be a level playing field for all teams going into the last match of the season.”


He further said, while reflecting on the 3-0 loss in Port-Harcourt, “We have another time to give them back what they gave to us when we visited. There will be no room for complacency as they come they will return to Port-Harcourt empty handed.”


It would be recalled that Rangers earned the right to pick one of the top three tickets from group A last week after a nail biting 1-0 win over perennial rivals, Bendel Insurance with Felix Ogbuke scoring with only five minutes left on the clock.

Malumfashi vs Kada City: City fans battered, properties destroyed

Can disorder ever be totally eradicated from football? Perhaps not. The Nigeria National League (NNL), the country's second-tier football was once again under the microscope for the wrong reasons.


Hell was let loose between Malumfashi and Kada City FC on Wednesday May 8, 2019 in a rescheduled 2018/2019 NNL Week One contest.


The pugnacious situation came less than 8 minutes to end the game with the visiting team (Kada City) leading 0-1 courtesy of Panis Bello well struck goal.


We gathered that the game played at Rarara Township Stadium, Kahutu, Katsina State started 5:02pm due to non availability of security personnel with Kada City playing under protest.


Investigation revealed that Malumfashi Goalkeeper Musa Suleiman, at the 82nd minute called for medical attention and was unable to continue the game on complain of sightedness, but his team were unable to substitute him having exhausted their three changes.


The centre referee Abubakar Bala, from Kano did not blew up as Goalkeeper Musa Suleiman remained grounded on the pitch with the weather dark. 


Footages released showed that Malumfashi first attacked Kada City supporters who traveled to Kahutu in hundreds and no fewer than twenty (20) people were injured and hospitalized with Kada City band drums damaged.

Rev Ben Ugbuji Tourney partners FC Ebedei

The Rev Ben Ugbuji Tourney in Cross Rivers State has achieved an  agreement with Nigeria Nation-Wide League One (NLO) side, FC Ebedei.

The grassroot football championship is in honour of late Rev Ben Ukpafe Ugbuji, who until his death was an Economist, elder statesman, a Sportsman, retired Grade One Referee, National officer of the Nigeria Referees Association, Match Commissioner and CAF instructor.



Organisers of the tourney informed that the  collaboration with FC Ebedei (partners of FC Midtylland Denmark) is aimed at scouting  local talents for local and international exposure.


 The scouting event will see eight (8) Under 20 football teams battling for honours from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th of May, 2019.