Ogunjobi Cup Finals To Be Decided February 11

A day has been set aside to determine final matches of the much anticipating best grassroots tourney in the State of Osun tagged 'Ogunjobi Cup', according to the organizers.


Recall that sixty-two (62) grassroots teams in the State of Osun, registered for various categories ranging from U-13, U-15 and U-18, the finalists in each category would be determined on Tuesday, February 11 to actually know who lifts the trophies and in remembrance of the late FA boss, Chief Taiwo Joseph Ogunjobi.


Ogunjobi Cup was sponsored by the late 'Pillar of Sports' in the State of Osun during his lifetime and the final is organized by the new FA boss in the state, Chief Rasaq Ishola Mustapha RIM.


The finals as been on hold since 2018 tournament which is aimed at discovering the buddy talents abounding in the nooks and crannies of the state had lived up to billing with series of masterclass and scintillating performances enroute final.



 Road to Final.

Six teams have since emerged in the three (3) categories of #OgunjobiCup18 and are set to battle for the greatly desired trophies at the main pitch of Osogbo Government High School.



Graceland FC have booked a slot in the U-18 category after a successive quickfire first half goals condemned Civil Defence FC who managed to reply one at the death.



It was the battle of  Titans as Odukunle FC were knocked out of the competition by Fehinty FC via a thrilling penalty shootout, both were tied a goal a piece at regulation time. Graceland FC would now take on their perennial rival, Fehinty FC during the final match slated for February 11.



Meanwhile, in the U-15 category, Oyeyemi FC dumped off Young City FC via a penalty shootout after stretching themselves to maximun limit to book a date with Golden Boys FC who in turn thrown out Awolu FC.



The U-13 category would see Zakariyau FC battling Golden Boys FC in the memorable final of the competition.



Nigeria's foremost sports kitting company Haggai Sportswear, having partnered with the organisers of Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi Football Championship as official kit sponsor of the tournament, would kit the finalists in the three categories.

'The Bull' now Nigeria's football ambassador

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed retired Nigerian professional footballer, former Super Eagles player and Assistant Coach, Daniel Amokachi, Nigeria’s Football Ambassador.

Amokachi, a member of the 1994 Super Eagles Team that won the African Nations Cup in Tunisia, was also in the Nigerian Olympic Football Team to the 1996 Atlanta Olympics that won the Gold Medal.

In addition to his football exploits in Europe, particularly in England where he won the FA Cup with Everton in 1995, Amokachi after retirement has managed Nasarawa United and Enyimba Football Club of Aba.

As Nigeria’s Football Ambassador – a largely ceremonial role – Amokachi will assist the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to scout for talents, be part of processes to revive the country’s football development, as well as mentor young sports men and women.

Osun ALGON Okays State Youth League

In its drive to rejig the grassroots football developments echoed in its agenda, the state of Osun Football Association have taken the 'let them play' crusade to Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) chieftains in the state.




The chairman State of Osun Football Association, Chief Rasaq Ishola Mustapha RIM accompanied by the board members rolled out and intimated the hosts with plans of the FA in creating a suitable and sustainable platform for youth football to thrive in a punctilious fashion.




"Part of our plans in this year is to bring on board the state youth league that comprises of U-17 players. Each local government would participate in the said league by sponsoring a team.



"Our target is to unearth raw talents hidden across the state by creating a veritable platform and tools for them to be empowered for the future. We believe these lads have what it takes to put the name of the state on a global map." Chief Mustapha who is the Ajiroba Ooni of Ife expressed.



While responding to series of plans designed and presented by the FA, the chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) state of Osun, Hon. Abiodun Idowu lauded the lofty plans of the FA.



"We appreciate the efforts of the state FA for the plans you have in raising talented Osun indigenes and for the plans to nurture them to stardom.



"We are delighted with this unique project and I want to assure you that my colleagues also would be glad to be part of it. We will commit our resources to it adequately and to ensure its success, even though with much obligations and commitments hanging on our neck with paucity of funds. Be expecting positive response from us soonest." The chairman of chairmen in the state concluded.

Who deserves to win CAF 'Youth Player' of the year ?

Three names have been shortlisted to battle for African Youth Player of the year. Two Nigerians and one Morrocan.

The award holder Achraf Hakimi is leading the other two contenders namely, Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze. The contestants have been having a run of their lives in their various clubs. 

Victor Osimhen put a goal past Monaco in French League One at the weekend to take his total league goal to ten. This will be the first time a Nigerian player would record a double figure in French League One in a debut season. 

The Super Eagles lanky forward is a member of the Bronze winning AFCON Eagles. He's been on a terrific form having won French League Player of the Month for the month of September at the expense of the likes of Islam Slimani and Nicolas Pallois. 

Nigerians have dominated this category in the past. In 2014, it was  Asisat Oshoala then with Rivers Utd that won it.  Victor Osimhen won it in the following year while Arsenal youngster Alex Iwobi scooped the 2016 edition. 

Worthy to mention among the contenders is Samuel Chukwueze, the Villarreal winger has been capped by Nigeria 10 times. The 20 years old pacy forward is a promising talent for the Eagles having scored a goal in his debut AFCON outing. He has 7 goals to his credit in about 34 senior appearance at club level. The New Generation Academy trainee would be looking for his first CAF plaque. 

Achraf Hakimi the award current holder has played twenty six games for his club in this year scoring 8 goals along the line. The Borussia Dortmund right-back is one of the most sought after in Europe. Achraf detroned Patson Daka in 2018 to become the current category award holder.

Gov. Oyetola set to replace partially grassed Osogbo stadium pitch with astro turf

Akanni Seyi

To those familiar with Osogbo Township Stadium located along Ikirun road within the metropolis, it's quite obvious that its infrastructure and facilities are still yet to be completed and are in a state of despair.

According to the stadium's master plan, the fifteen thousand capacity complex supposed to have gallery with seats, a luscious football pitch, athletic track, floodlights, perimeter fence, dressing rooms with convenience spots, mini studio, basketball courts, volleyball courts, hall for indoor activities, administrative buildings, handball courts, lawn tennis courts, training pitches, electronic scoreboard and vast expanse of spaces for automobile parks. 

Major actors and fans have expressed their dissatisfaction about the state of the arena which shows no clear sign of maintenance.

Recall that the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola started the project after cancelling a mouth-watering deal initiated and adopted by the administration of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola. 

The whopping sum of 18.38 billion naira loan was secured by the Okuku born prince, the facility which was aimed at erecting sports complex in Osogbo, Ede, Ilesa, Ife and Ikirun. Aregbesola cancelled the contracts,  leaving only the Osogbo Stadium.

The stadium project was technically abandoned as the harsh economy took toll on the state. The contractor handling the project has since returned to his native country in far away Northern Africa. The moribund state of the facility has accounted for mass exodus of Osun athletes to sister states because of lack of conducive training facilities.

According to the state governor Mr Gboyega Oyetola while delivering his keynote address during the recently concluded Presidential Cup, packaged by African Youth Sports Federation (AYSOF) and hosted by the ministry of sports and youth engagements, Mr governor noted that, "for us in Osun, sport is not only a medal-winning and recreational activity, it is principally an instrument for impacting leadership skills in the youths to enable them to perform their roles as leaders of tomorrow.

"As we harvest the outcomes of our just concluded Economic and Investment Summit, we shall give priority attention to sport as always to build an army of award-winning and responsible youths who will flag the State’s and Nigeria’s flag internationally.

"In furtherance of our commitment to sport, we will soon complete the construction of the Sports stadium to provide a platform for our youths to give expression to their talents and enhance their award-winning prowess." lleri Oluwa as he's fondly called concluded.

Seventeen days after the above statements were made, sources revealed that Mr governor has directed the energetic honorable commissioner for sports and youth engagements, Hon. Yemi Lawal to commence listening to bids in order to fast track the process of the football pitch and other facilities wearing a new look. 

This is no doubt a welcome development as the complex is becoming aliens to hosting tournaments organized by the apex football body in the land. 

Osun athletes are skilled and extremely  super talented. For instance, Taekwondo alone as a sport in the state has accounted for over 64 medals since 2013 till date. If construction of sporting facilities are on the front burner, coupled with effective grassroots programs, then the state would reap from massive social and economic dividends soonest.