Dare Olatunji 'Osun Pogba' joins Enyimba

Seyi Joshua

Enyimba International have completed the signing of Osun United priceless asset, Dare Olatunji for an undisclosed fee, reports Coded Sports.

The valuable and enterprising midfielder who will be 21 on November 24th has signed the dotted line for Aba based club with the duration of three (3) years to become the latest addition to the People's Elephant.

The versatile midfielder who was captured from Police Machine two seasons ago by the workaholic and resourceful ex-international Duke Udi has improved a lot to become a force to reckon with without any sign of slackness in sight.

Several Top NPFL clubs have been jostling for the services of Dare Olatunji in the past but Enyimba FC are so fortunate with clear headway.

On what motivated him to choose Enyimba ahead of other suitors the young and experienced midfielder has this to say; "I feel calm and happy. 

"It is a positive move for me definitely, I am  used to coping and to adjust in the best possible way, for massive gestures people are showing me here, it's a positive way of starting.

“ Now I feel comfortable and looking forward to the future, which for sure will be very nice because am here to contribute my quota and win silverware with this modest club." 'Osun Pogba' as he's fondly called stated.

Osun United through their media chief announced the departure of their productive player yesterday, the club therefore wish him more successful endeavours in his career. 

An optimistic defensive midfielder, who harps on hard work and prayer hailed series of coaches that have modelled his growing and brilliant career.

" A lot of coaches have worked on me but l specially appreciate Duke Udi for giving me the platform to showcase the stuff I've made of, oftentimes he do fight me but little did I know that it's to my benefit, I will forever be grateful to him." he informed Coded Sports.

Olatunji became latest signings after Chukwuka Onuwa, Stanley Okorom and few others were reportedly snapped up by Aba Landlord

Ayeni confident of Gold Cup success despite defeat

Cynosure FC Head Coach, Deji Ayeni says losing their first match at the ongoing Gold Cup tournament is not a big deal as it afforded them opportunity to restrategise for their semi-final game against Kwara United today Wednesday November 21, 2018 at the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure.


A 65th minute strike by Adedipe Kehinde was all Sunshine Stars needed to top Group B table and condemn the Abakaliki-based side to its first defeat after going three games unbeaten in the tourney.


Ayeni told Gold Cup Media; “The loss is a positive one for me because in football, you either win, lose or you draw. So as a good technocrat, you should expect that.


"Its not a loss because I foresaw what was going to happen. I’m a kind of person that doesn’t complain about officiating. Be it as it may, we gave them a good fight.


“There is no team that is not beatable. The most important thing for the teams is to work on their tactics and how disciplined are you.


"You can bear me witness today, if not the loss of concentration, there is no way we would have lost the match because I work on my tactics and made sure that everybody worked according to it.


Ayeni further said he was proud of his boys’ performance, adding his players can walk into any team in the NPFL without having trials.


“Honestly speaking, if the boys find themselves in any team, they will deliver because they have what it takes. But one thing I understand about Nigerians is that we don’t always appreciate the younger ones.


"We should give them the opportunity to exhibit what they have so that you will have a balanced team.


"Look at our national teams, when the players are aging we should replace them with younger ones so that the team will be solid and ready to compete again. But when the bulk of team are old players, you find it difficult for the whole cohesiveness of the game.”

I'm penalty specialist, says Cynosure's Imiete

Cynosure FC of Eboyi goalkeeper, Believe Imiete says stopping penalties is his speciality.

Imiete who kept two clean sheets in the victories against Lobi Stars and Mountain of Fire and Miracles (MFM FC of Lagos) at the ongoing Gold Cup Tourney in Akure, denied Lobi Stars Samad Kadiri a goal from the spot kick last Friday.

"Its good feelings for me to have kept a clean sheet and saved a penalty against a CAF Champions League side, Lobi Stars of Makurdi.

"In fact, I'm a specialist at saving penalties. The feat is no fluke but down to hard work in training and been focused in matches.

"I don't do guess work once I'm faced with a task of saving a penalty.

"In many penalties I have saved, I chose the spot I want to go and at the end, I just see myself making a save.

"Keeping clean sheets, I cherish that as a goalkeeper as this statistic is what determines our market.

"I hope one day I'll be living my dream as a top class goalkeeper in Europe but I fancy starting the journey with an A-list club in the Nigeria Professional Football League.

"My plans for the season is helping my team gain promotion  from the Nigeria National League to the top flight by recording more clean sheets, so I can compete with the big teams  in Nigeria.

Cynosure FC no fluke, says Coach Ayeni

Cynosure Football Club Head Coach, Ayeni Ayodeji Alexander says his team's success in the Gold Cup Tourney in Akure is no fluke.

Cynosure became the first book a semi-final spot after going three games unbeaten in it group.

"Victories recorded here in the Gold Cup Tourney in Akure is no fluke as our play tactics is unique. We play as a unit, attacking and defending together.

"We're also a disciplined side.
We don't like to give away ball possession easily and our defending have been fantastic as we have kept three clean sheets and scored five goals.

"This match stat is good for my team's psyche as it will boost their confidence level.

"Mental fitness is really a problem for many players in domestics leagues as they easily give when the challenge is tough.

"This was the most important thing I did after I took the Cynosure job, as I changed the orientation of my players.
Today is of good benefit to us all. 

"Going further in the tourney; mean tough challenge awaits my team, my players are mentally ready for the hurdle."

The Abakaliki based side who have 9points will on Tuesday host Sunshine Stars, who has 7points in a last game that will determine who goes to top of the group.

GOLD CUP: Kwara Utd, Cynosure FC zoom to semi final

Kwara United and Cynosure FC have qualified to the semi-final of the Gold Cup Preseason Tournament holding in Akure after they both won their third games respectively.


The Harmony Boys edged past Remo Stars 2-1 in a thriller that saw both Segun Alebiosu and Ekene Awazie scoring to remain joint top scorers of the Nigeria's First Pre-Season mini league with three goals each.


Kwara United scored their two goals in quick succession in the first half, as it took them eight minutes to break the Sky Blue Stars defence.


A long range shot by Peter Momoh from 30 mitres left James Faith stunned in goal for Remo Stars.


In the 10th minute, Kwara United profited from a lose pass close to their box, and Segun Alebiosu made no mistake scoring his team's second goal with an easy tap in from an assist from Ebenezer Odeyemi.


Three minutes into the second half, Remo Stars were handed a lifeline as they were awarded a penalty for a tackle on Awazie by a Kwara defender in the box.


Awazie then converted from the spot to reduce the goal deficit for the Sky Blue Stars.


In the other group game, Nationwide League One side Cynosure FC, defeated FC Ebedei 2-0 to be the only team to get to the last four without conceeding a goal.


It took the Abakaliki side six minutes to do the damage on Ebedei after Solomon Chigozie turn Eliza Amie's low cross to the bottom corner in the second minute in what looked like the fastest goal in this year's edition.


Cynosure doubled their lead in the 6th after Ogar David scored a screamer from another Amie's assist.


Both teams now lead the two groups table logs with 9 points each.