Oladunni Oyekale Crown FC Head Coach Regrets Not Playing For Super Eagles

Oladunni Oyekale Crown FC Head Coach Regrets Not Playing For Super Eagles

The head coach of Ogbomoso based NNL outfit Crown FC, Oladunni Oyekale (MON) has bemoaned his inability to wear green-white-green color for the senior national team.


The merchant tactician who started his football career in Gombe with Doma United, Water Board FC later represented Mighty Jets before switching to Bank of the North FC in Kano. He was with Elkanemi Warriors till 1998 before calling time on his career after a persistent bilious injury.


The former Adamawa Utd gaffer had the opportunity to play in U-17 World Cup in 1987 and he was part of U-20 World Cup in 1989 with the likes of Philip Osondu, Nduka Ugbade, Jimoh Balogun, Emeka Amadi, Samuel Elijah, Peter Ogaba among others.


While chatting with journalists on Family United By Football FUBF, a foremost Soccer Platform, the one time tactician of NPA FC of Lagos described himself as 'unlucky' not to have played for Super Eagles after series of eye catching performances at the junior level.


"l played in the U-17 tourney in 1987 and we came second, l also played in U-20 World Cup (Saudi Arabia) in 1989, we came home with Silver.

"l was also at the All African Games (1991) we came third with Bronze medals.

"Everybody has what God had planned for him, some of my mates in those age grade competitions played for the Super Eagles but l was not lucky and l will not blame myself for it.

"l tried to work hard to get there but it didn't work out, at least not everyone will play for Super Eagles, it's just like if you are lucky and you get there, so be it. I am fine and fulfilled." The one time Head Coach of National Futsal Team told FUBF.

Ifeanyi George: 'Everyday I feel his presence'- Rangers TM Ezeaku

The departed soul of Rangers International FC sensational goal poacher Ifeanyi George has left the football community in the country dejected, depressed and downcast back in March 2020.

Ifeanyi 26, gave up the ghost as he was involved in the ill-fated fatal accident that occurred at Abudu on Benin-Agbor expressway after his car bumped into a parked truck on his way to Lagos, after the Nigerian top-flight league was suspended owing to the Covid-19 outbreak.

While speaking during the Personality Interview on  Family United By Football FUBF, a top WhatsApp Soccer Platform, Amobi Ezeaku who is the Team Manager of Enugu Rangers described Ifeanyi as a player who is full of 'life, hope and ambitious'. He noted that lfeanyi's  presence is still felt at the club. 

"Ifeanyi George isn't just a player because in Rangers we live as a family. We do speak about him with so much emotion because I remember in Cairo before his goal against Pyramid FC, he was in my room and he told me that it's going to be his last season in Rangers because he was so ripe to play in Europe.

"It's our dream that he travels to Europe to play and enjoy himself and possibly find his way to the mainstream of Super Eagles.

" Here we are today praying for the happy repose of his soul. He was prolific and intelligent player.

"He had wonderful positioning, he had the grip of the ball upfront, he knows how to string passes with his teammate. He was just exceptional.

"It is very difficult for us to forget lfeanyi. I am happy that we have been able to rest that jersey number 15 for this season and the next and the insurance package going to his family as well. 

"These things won't bring him back but everyday l feel his presence, everyday l feel he's working with us, everyday I feel he's listening to us when we talk as a team, everyday I feel him in my heart and I know all of us at Rangers feel the same way." Barry as he's fondly called concluded.

PUBS Excos Inaugurated, Declare Support For Aketi’s 2nd Term Bid

A group named People United By Sports (PUBS) have thrown their weight behind the re-election of incumbent Governor Rotimi Akeredolu during the inauguration of the new State Excos in Akure. 

At the event which is widely attended by the stakeholders in sports sector in the state, the Chief Executive Officer of the state, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu assured that his administration will continue to give adequate support to all round sports in the state .

 

Governor Akeredolu, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mr Tayo Oluwatuyi stated this during the inauguration of the State Executives of People United by Sports (PUBS) at the indoor hall of the State Sports Complex.

 

The newly elected SSG commended the Association for acknowledging the giant strides of the current administration in the sports arena.

He admonished the organisation not to shy away from coming up with lofty ideas, policies that would further develop all round sports in the state.

He said, “on our part we will ensure that sports men and women in the state get the best they deserved to enhance their participation both home and abroad.”

However, Sports men and women in Ondo State have decleared their support for AKETI second term bid.

Seun Betiku

Betiku Seun, President PUBS informed why the group was declaring it’s support for Support for AKETI 2nd term.

“The incumbent Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu has done well in the last four years, not just in sports but in other sectors looking at the development in the state.

“He has made Sports among his top priority with funding of the state owned Nigeria Premier League (NPFL) team, Sunshine Stars and also supported other top athletes in other sports to achieving successes. So he deserves a second term so he can complete his programme for sports development in the state.”

 

The special adviser to the governor on political matters and strategy Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan who was represented by comrade Wole Olugbode equally affirmed and lauded the ingenuity of the number 1 citizen in the state to further make the state a 'Sporting Hub' churning out world champions. Awards were given to outstanding athletes in the state, Seun Ogunsanya being former world champion.

The dignitaries at the event are; the state governor ably represented by the SSG Mr. Tope Oluwatuyi, Commissioner for Sports , Barrister Dotun Owanikan,  Chairman OSFA , Chief Tajudeen Akinyemi, 8 House of Assembly members lead by Hon Sunday Olajide, Chairman house committee on Finance and Appropriation. The chairman NURTW Ondo State Comrade Jacob Idajo and the General Manager, Ondo State Sports Council Chief Wande Fabuluje among others.

Meanwhile the Ondo State Independent Electorial Commission have fixed the Ondo Governorship election for October 10, 2020.

Osun Sports Set To Be Overhauled For Optimum Efficiency - Yemi Lawal

Honorable Commissioner for Youth and Sports in the State of Osun, Mr. Yemi Lawal has assured that necessary actions are in place to return sporting activities in the state back to its glorious mode.


While responding to several claims flying on social media over what it terms as lopsided appointments under his purview, the young and energetic Commissioner told journalists in the state Tuesday afternoon thus; "Sports is a little bit backward in the State because of some untoward practices in the sector before now.


"The performing athletes cum contract staffs getting stipend from the coffers of the state government will have their remunerations stopped for now because we are starting all over again as approved by the Chief Executive Officer of the state His Excellency Alh. Gboyega Oyetola," he informed.


The Sports Ministry boss further revealed that the best athletes would be selected across the local government areas via series of competitions that would take place across zones before the state finals. Those are the ones that will be given contract.


"We are lucky to have a listening Governor who is ready to listen to our plans.


"We are in the process of a serious overhaul across the local governments, they are the ones that will help drive our reforms at the grassroots, in discovering hidden talents. The process is very transparent and not even based on any party affiliations.


"While trying to reform the sector, there was more of a public outcry by some people who believed we are taking away what they perceived as their inheritance.


"What is important is that, as a public servant, I owe the people maximum responsibility to make sure that I serve them to the best of my ability.


"Going forward, there's a need for serious restructuring as graciously approved by Mr Governor, anything like contract staff, performing athletes, even players of Osun Utd and Osun Babes will have their salary stopped henceforth."


While outlining plans to revive sports in the state, the Commissioner informed that, his ministry will commence a serious restructuring. He insists that sports will start all over from the grassroots.


"The outcry has given birth to a new era, we are trying to patch and patch the situations before now, but it keeps giving us new defects, that's why we are rebuilding again, we know it will take time but we are going to have a very solid structure at the end of the day.


"We are setting new standards for our teams, we shall get them incorporated again. It is not going to be the business as usual," the youngest commissioner claimed.

Enyimba Enjoy Life With Osho's Philosophy - Oladapo

Enyimba FC midfielder Austin Oladapo has attributed the form attained and the mental grasp enjoyed by the team this season to the tactical depth, pattern and balance initiated by the team's gaffer Fatai Osho. 

The Lagos born humble gaffer joined the 'People's Elephant' as the head coach at the start of 2019/2020 Nigeria Professional Football League NPFL season to work with Usman Abd'Allah who would later shown the way after a couples of below par displays by the NPFL big wig.

The former Crown FC and Remo Stars Sports Club handler has since turned the strings of misfortunes earlier suffered by the team with a renaissance aided by an eye-catching, easy-on-the-eye footballing style which had lifted the most successful club in Nigeria from 13th position to 2nd on the log according to LMC Point Per Game PPG framework.

In his recent chat with journalists Oladapo credits Osho as the brain power of the team, he recounts thus; "every coach has his own philosophy when it comes to the game, Fatai Osho is one of those who has a very great philosophy.

"That philosophy suits the pattern of Enyimba players that was why we were able to pick up and started winning matches both home and away.

"I think Osho did a lot of work and what he was bringing to the team most especially the new players recruited by the club that's what they love. 

"Everything started blending together that was what helped us to be back into winning ways which Enyimba is known for. He changed the mentality of the team and tried to let us know that we can do it both home and away.

"At the end of the day, we started seeing the results and we have no choice than to key into his tactics and everything he's bringing to the table," Oladapo stated.