NFF to train, absorb Ikeme into Super Eagles’ crew

The Nigeria Football Federation has announced that it will offer retired Super Eagles’ safe hands Carl Ikeme coaching education as a goalkeeper trainer and then absorb him into the technical crew of the Senior National Football Team.

NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi disclosed at the weekend that the Federation is in contact with Ikeme, who announced his retirement from the game on Friday afternoon, with a view to training him as a goalkeeper coach.

“Carl Ikeme was an embodiment of absolute dedication, commitment and patriotic fervour in the games that he played for the Super Eagles. The circumstances of his retirement from the game are somewhat depressing, even as we thank God for his life.

“The Nigeria Football Federation will find the resources to send him on a coaching course, and afterwards absorb him into the technical crew of the Super Eagles. That is the least we can do for such a dedicated patriot.”

Dr. Sanusi revealed that the NFF was in the know about Ikeme’s plan to retire from football. “A few weeks ago, he had spoken on phone with the NFF President and 1st Vice President of CAF, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, to intimate him on his (Ikeme’s) desire to retire. Even though he was sad about, the NFF President commended his fighting spirit and respected his decision, and also said he would rather allow the player or his club to break the news.”

Wolverhampton Wanderers FC of England goalie Ikeme, diagnosed with acute leukaemia in July 2017 but who entered into complete remission only last month, announced his decision to retire from the beautiful game on Friday.

He played 191 matches for Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, and was pivotal in the club’s promotion from League One to the English Championship. He is currently being heavily celebrated for uniting a club more renowned for its divisive tendencies.

Ikeme was in goal for the Super Eagles in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Swaziland home and away, and away to Zambia; the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Tanzania home and away, and against Egypt at home, and; in friendly matches against Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon and Niger Republic.

Haggai Sportswear partners Ogunjobi Cup

Nigeria's foremost sports kitting company Haggai Sportswear has entered into partnership agreement with the organisers of Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi Football Championship as official kit sponsor of the third edition of the tournament.



Haggai is a sister company of Nigeria’s foremost sports equipment marketers, the popular Zenith Sports.



Ogunjobi Cup is sponsored by the Pillar of Sports in the State of Osun and organized by State of Osun Football Association and gradually becoming a commercial hot cake for big brands.



The partnership deal was sealed on Monday in Oshogbo after the Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Sports, Paul Maduakor, and Tunde Shamsudeen (Ogunjobi's SA on Media) concluded talks.



Haggai Sportwear announced it will kit the U-13, U-15 and U-18 finalists, and awards for the Best Goalkeeper, Highest Goalscorer and the Most Valuable Player..



According to Shamsudeen who brokered the deal noted: "It's another feather in the cap for the tourney as it has come into partnership agreement with top sportswear brand, Haggai.



“We are excited with the Haggai partnership. Haggai's presence is an indication that the tourney has a bright future."



Maduakor said his firm entered into partnership with the organizers of the tournament because of his love for Chief Ogunjobi, having proven to be one of the best football administrator in the country.



"The idea behind this partnership, is to help develop our grassroots football which of course is the bedrock/ foundation for our football."




Sixty-two (62) grassroots teams in the State of Osun, registered for the ongoing tourney with the final scheduled for August 21, to celebrate the former Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Federation, date-of-birth.

Ogunjobi Cup begins Sunday, July 22

Arrangements have been concluded for the third edition of Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi Football Championship, scheduled to kick-off on Sunday July 22, at the Oshogbo Township Stadium.



Sixty-two (62) grassroots teams in the State of Osun, registered for the tourney with the final scheduled for August 21, to celebrate the former Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Federation, date-of-birth.



Thirty-six (36) teams registered for the U-18 tourney which will be decided on knock out format, while sixteen (16) teams obtained forms for the U-15 and have been group into four to be played on league format, with ten (10) teams registering for the U-13 category.



The age grade tournament is sponsored by the Pillar of Sports in the State of Osun and organized by State of Osun Football Association to boost discovery of exceptional talents abounding at the grassroots, catching them young in a bid to provide a well defined future for the players.



Rotimi, Ogunjobi's son, a Law student of Afe Babalola University will do the official kick off for the U-13 and U-15 tourney, in company of Chief Ogunjobi, who will perform the U-18 kick off.




Ogunjobi, who’s the Special Assistant to the State of Osun Governor on Football Matters and Chairman Osun Football Association, emphasised the need to return to the grassroots to scout for talented football players, saying some of the country's soccer heroes were discovered at the grassroots.



Zakariyau FC, Ikirun will lock horns with Young Makanaki FC, Ilesha by 11.am in the opening game of the U-13, while Golden Boys of Oshogbo will battle Awolu FC of Ifon Osun by 12.noon for the U-15 opening match.



In the other fixtures of Matchday One of the U-18, Paragon FC of Ilesha and Success FC, Ilesha will renew their rivalry when they draw swords by 2.pm, as Fehinty FC of Ido Osun, will be having their hands full as they will tango Sharp Strikers FC of Oshogbo by 4.pm.

AYC: Focus is our watchword - Alalade

Seyi Joshua

Nigeria Flying Eagles will on Saturday tango with Mauritania Under 20 team in the second leg of the African Youth Championship qualifiers, Junior Eagles are at the edge of qualifying for the championship which they have won seven times after pulling a draw in far away Nouakchott, a week ago. 

Abubakar Ibrahim succeeded in breaking the deadlock after having a pop at goal inside ten minutes of play at the Stade  Olympique, but the celebration in the Junior Eagles camp lasted only for four minutes before the hosts restored the parity.

Enyimba forward, Wasiu Alalade has informed that, focus and determination would be vital tools while engaging their tactically savvy opponents in the Soccer Temple on Saturday's evening.

"We will go for early goal so as to abrogate unnecessary tension because our destiny is in our hands.

"We are optimistic of a better result come Saturday so as to consolidate on the positive out-turn. We need the support of Nigerians because total victory is non-negotiable." The former ABS FC goal poacher told codedreporter.blogspot.com.ng

The Confederation of African Football has appointed Egyptian officials to take charge of the match, with Mahmoud Zakaria Mohamed El Banna as Referee. He will work with compatriots Ahmed Taha Hossam (Assistant Referee 1), Hany Abdelfattah Mahmoud Elsnadidy (Assistant Referee 2) and Ahmed Mahrous Mahmoud Ahmed Hassan ElGhandour (Reserve Referee).

62 teams for Ogunjobi Football Tournament

Seyi Joshua




Sixty two grassroot teams shall participate in all categories of the third edition  of Ogunjobi Football Tournament, the tournament contrived and packaged by the State of Osun Football Association to unearth raw talents hidden in the grassroots.




Thirty six (36) teams have registered for U-18 category, while sixteen (16) teams have been screened to jostle for shield in U-15 category.




Meanwhile, ten (10) promising teams have shown interest to size up shoulders in the U-13 category. A total of one thousand two hundred and forty (1,240) players are expected to participate in all categories.





The tournament is expected to kick off on Sunday 22nd July, 2018. Lots of amazing prices are up for grabs at the end of the competitions.