Optima Energy Gold Cup Kicks Off September 22 In Ikenne, Sagamu

 

Optima Energy Gold Cup Kicks Off September 22 In Ikenne, Sagamu

Organizers of the Optima Energy Gold Cup have informed that Remo Stars will begin its title defence, as the 10th edition of the nation's prestigious preseason tournament for clubs in the domestic leagues kicks off on Thursday, September 22, 2022.

Tunde Shamsudeen, General Coordinator of the tourney told Optima Energy Gold Cup Media: "We want to use this medium to thank the over 30 different clubs, which cuts across the three tiers of our league that have taken part in the Ogunjobi Gold Cup (now Optima Energy Gold Cup).

" The tournament inception in 2012, has proven to be the best platform for teams to prepare themselves extensively against tough teams, to know their strengths, drawbacks and proffer solutions to them before going into the season.

"Also the Optima Energy Gold Cup over the years has been part of some club's success stories from former NPFL champions Kano Pillars, Lobi Stars, MFM FC, Niger Tornadoes, FC Ebedei and now Remo Stars.

"It's on record that one or two teams that participate in the yearly tourney either end up winning the NPFL title,  qualify for the CAF inter-club tournament or gain promotion. 

"As we set the ball rolling for this year's edition, it promises to be an exciting one for the 10 teams that will be looking forward to taking part and indeed fans.

"All necessary arrangement and logistics has been put in place to ensure a hitch-free tourney as there will be much fanfare and activation.

"The tourney will be co-hosted respectively at the Remo Stars Stadium and FC Ebedei Stadium in Ikenne and Sagamu.

"Official correspondence (invitation letters) has been sent to intending clubs in the three tiers of our domestic leagues, Nigeria Professional Football League(NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL) and Nationwide League One (NLO).

"Ten (10) teams are to participate in the 10-day soccer fiesta that will begin on Thursday, September 22 and climax on Independence Day, October 1, 2022.

"Teams will be grouped into two groups of A and B with five (5) teams each, and are expected to play four (4) group matches with two (2) teams with the highest number of points qualifying for the semi-finals.

WNFF Assures On Speedy Completion Of Ogunjobi Football House- Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) 1st Vice President  Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi has assured that the Ogunjobi Football House will be completed soon.

The project which started in 2018 was among the football houses built by the Amaju Malvin Pinnick led NFF Board.

Akinwunmi, the Lagos State Football Association boss and other Southwest State Football Associations chairmen of Otunba Sunday  Dele-Ajayi (Ondo), Bayo Olanlege (Ekiti), Gani Majekodunmi (Ogun), James Adeniran (Oyo) and Alhaji Mustapha Abulrasaq (Osun) came under the agies of the Western Nigeria Football Forum (WNFF) to host the maiden Taiwo Ogunjobi Memorial Under-15 Tournament.

Speaking during the award night of WNFF/Taiwo Ogunjobi U-15 Tourney in Osogbo last weekend, Akinwunmi said: “Apart from honouring Taiwo Ogunjobi, we will also help the host Football Association, Osun, complete the Ogunjobi Football House.

“We have raised some money from among ourselves, but we are also looking for help to complete the Ogunjobi Football house project which houses the Osun FA.

 “We hope that next year, we will take the project to another state, which will benefit from the programme until all the states have their own football houses.”

Meanwhile NPFL/La Liga U15 champions Remo Stars were crowned winners of the Ogunjobi Memorial Under-15 Tourney after they pipped Osun State counterparts 1-0 to lift the title.

It's Continental Ticket Or Nothing, Sunshine Chief To Agoye

 It's Continental Ticket Or Nothing, Sunshine Chief To Agoye

Akanni Seyi

As Sunshine Stars FC unveiled Olumide Edith Agoye as its Head Coach, the management of the Akure based NPFL side have set target for the Ondo state born former 3SC handler.

Having survived another turbulent season evident by frequent reshuffle of the technical personnels coupled with its prevalent internal wranglings, the club is set for new dawn under the new handler.

Agoye who until his new appointment was with Oluyole Warriors of lbadan. He served as assistant coach to Fatai Amoo and was promoted to the position of head coach years later. He promoted 3SC back to the top flight league in 2020/2021 league season and had to survive a slip by a whisker in his first season in Nigeria Professional Football League.

The merchant tactician will try to enjoy new lease of life in Akure by stamping his philosophy on-time. Just like Ibadan fans, supporters of 'Akure Gunners' are willowy fused for failures, he must have been used to how to deal with raging fans on the pitch by the way, but Sunshine Stars would like to play a continental football next term after many years of missing out in continental showpiece.

It remains to be seen if hierarchy at Owena Whales are ready to dust their cheque book and do quality transactions in the current transfer window with the bulk of their players awaiting juicy offers elsewhere but according to the Commssioner for Youth and Sports Development in Ondo State, Hon. Dele Ologun, the club must return to continent after 10 years.

_"I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Governor; my visionary leader, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu and the Management Committee headed by our amiable Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa for a job well done in repositioning the Agency and Sunshine Stars. Also I thank all stakeholders who always lend their support and wealth of experience to move Sunshine Stars forward._

_"Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in Sunshine Stars' history with the unveiling of Edith Agoye as our new Head Coach. Myself, the GM, Prince Tunde Ogunja and the leadership of the team settled for Agoye among the shortlisted coaches with the conviction that he can succeed here, if all stakeholders give him an unflinching support. That we are trusting everyone of us to deliver on!_

_"Agoye is one of us as an indigene of Ondo State. So, as it is a call to duty for him, it is also a homecoming for our man. The coaching job of Sunshine Stars comes with huge responsibilities and as a management we have our set-goals for the coming season which is a top three finish, however I want to reiterate that it is with unity of purpose that our expectations can be met. So let us unite around Agoye and his coaching crew for the actualization of our common dreams for Sunshine Stars." Ologun concluded.

Agoye 46, will be assisted by ex junior international, Akin Olowookere, Akure City's young handler, Banjo Adepoju and Stephen Folorunsho, the Goalkeeper Trainer.

Ogunjobi U15 Memorial Cup: Remo Stars Set-Up Oyo Clash, As Lagos Battle Osun State

 Ogunjobi U15 Memorial Cup: Remo Stars Set-Up Oyo Clash, As Lagos Battle Osun State

After the qualification of Team Osun; Team Oyo, Team Lagos and NPFL/LaLiga champions Remo Stars to the semi-finals on Friday, organizers of the Ogunjobi U15 Memorial Cup have released the last four pairings.

With both Oyo U15 and Osun U15 sealing their semi-final spot on Thursday, the onus was on Remo Stars and Lagos U15 team to get at least a point from their Matchday 3 fixtures, having recorded 4points and 3points respectively after the conclusion of Matchday 2 fixtures.

That they did at the Sports Complex Ataoja School Of Science in Osogbo, as Remo Stars and Osun U15 played out a 1-1 draw to go second in Group B with 5pionts while Osun maintained the top spot with 7points after two wins and a draw.

With Oyo U15 already leaders of Group A with 6points from two matches, Lagos and Ekiti had to slug it out in the final Group A game for who joins Oyo in the semis.

The soak tensed game between both teams lived up to the hype as it ended 1-1, thus saw the Eko Boys qualifying on superior goal difference ahead their counterparts Ekiti Bees as both teams were levelled on 4points.

It's a tough semi-final pairings as high flying Oyo State who were handed a reality check after they lost their last group game by a lone goal to Kwara U15 team, will sqaure up against NPFL/LaLiga champions Remo Stars for a spot in the final while Osun U15 team will hope to contain the fire power of Lagos U15 team who scored five goals in the group stage.

Meanwhil, a total of 18 goals were scored in the group phase of the Ogunjobi U15 Memorial Cup as all teams recorded at least a point.

*MatchDay 3 Results 👇* 

Osun State 1-1 Remo Stars 

Ekiti State 1-1 Lagos State

Oyo State 0-1 Kwara State

Ogun State 0-1 Ondo State

SEMI FINAL PAIRINGS

Team Oyo vs Remo Stars - 3pm

Team Osun vs Team Lagos - 4pm 

#OgunjobiMemorialCup22

Osun Agog As Over 180 Kids Kick Off Taiwo Ogunjobi Memorial Cup

 Osun Agog As Over 180 Kids Kick Off Taiwo Ogunjobi Memorial Cup

 

The State of Osun will bubble with the best of football artistry as the debut edition of Western Nigeria Football Forum/Ogunjobi Memorial U-15 Football Tournament kicks off from 16th -21st August in Osogbo.

In an official statement signed by the Co-Chairmen for the event, Otunba Dele Ajayi and Otunba Tade Azeez, informed that over 180 kids drawn across Nigeria and are players of the eight teams will slug it out for individual honours and the most prized trophy.

NPFL/La Liga Football Tournament champions Remo Stars FC (U-15), Katsina United FC (U15), who were 2nd runners-up, alongside U15 teams of the Football Associations of the South West States are to thrill fans in the week long soccer fiesta.

The teams and officials are to camp at the Ede, Orientation Camp of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Meanwhile, the Honourable Minister for Youths and Sports Development, Hon. Sunday Dare and nine others have been listed for an Award of Excellence by the organizers of the tourney.

The Honourable Minister, Hon. Kunle Soname; the Chairman of KC Gamings Limited and President of Remo Stars FC, Ikenne Remo, Chief Adebutu Kessington, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, Chief Segun Odegbami, His Excellency Ambassador Omolade Oluwateru, Mr Yemi Idowu, former member House of Representatives, Honourable Ayo Omidiran, Princess Bola Jegede and Dr Rafiu Ladipo are recipients for the awards, for their selfless service to the development of the beautiful game in the South West.