Olufi Tournament: Christopher's 35th-Minute Header Decides Tight Contest

 

Olufi Tournament: Christopher's 35th-Minute Header Decides Tight Contest

By Olusola Alabi 

Daniel Christopher's brilliant header was enough to hand Olufi United a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Oke Ola FC in Matchday Three of the Gbongan Olufi Day Football Tournament 2026.

It was another entertaining afternoon at Saint Patrick Grammar School Field, Gbongan, Osun State on Tuesday as both sides delivered an intense and competitive contest in front of the spectators.

Oke Ola FC started brightly and put the Olufi United defence under pressure in the opening minutes. However, Olufi United's backline remained resolute.

Tiamiyu Blessing made a dangerous run in the fifth minute and found himself with an opportunity to put Olufi United ahead, but his effort was thwarted.

Tiamiyu came close again shortly afterwards, sending a well-struck free-kick towards goal, but the Oke Ola goalkeeper produced an excellent save to divert the dangerous effort for a corner.

Oke Ola FC continued to threaten, but Olufi United goalkeeper Salawudeen Abeeb came to his team's rescue in the 30th minute, making an important save to deny the opponents a potential opener.

The intensity of the game continued to rise, and five minutes later, Olufi United finally broke the deadlock.

Daniel Christopher rose highest to meet a delivery and produced a brilliant header in the 35th minute, giving Olufi United a 1–0 lead.

Oke Ola FC pushed hard in search of an equaliser before half-time, but Olufi United held firm to take their narrow advantage into the break.

The second half began with Oke Ola FC increasing the pressure and using both flanks to try to break through the Olufi United defence. However, the Olufi backline remained disciplined and committed.

Olufi United nearly doubled their advantage in the 51st minute when Adewole Adedayo produced a well-placed effort, but an Oke Ola defender made a crucial intervention to clear the danger.

Oke Ola goalkeeper Adekunle Peter then made another important save to prevent Olufi United from extending their lead as the hosts continued to apply pressure.

Tope Fatokun also came close to adding a second goal after receiving a well-weighted pass in front of goal, but the Oke Ola goalkeeper rushed off his line to make the save.

Despite Oke Ola's late attempts to find an equaliser, Olufi United held on to secure a valuable 1–0 victory and three points.

Next Fixture

Action continues on Wednesday, September 23, with Oke Oje FC taking on Ajegunle Football Club in Matchday Four of the first round.

The match is scheduled for 3pm at Saint Patrick Grammar School Field, Gbongan, Osun State.

Sponsored by Asiwaju Femi Adedeji (AyoNbo), the tournament continues to provide a platform for young and talented footballers to showcase their abilities, gain exposure and pursue their ambitions in the round leather game.

Osun Traders Count Losses as Suspected Thugs Smash Shop Displays in Osogbo

 

Osun Traders Count Losses as Suspected Thugs Smash Shop Displays in Osogbo

Palpable tension has enveloped the Old Garage business district of Osogbo, Osun State, following a coordinated overnight attack on shops belonging to phone accessory dealers, most of whom are traders of Igbo extraction.

The traders said they locked up their businesses as usual on Monday evening, only to return the following morning to meet their glass display cabinets shattered. Broken pieces of glass were seen strewn across the floors of affected shops, with the display cases showing clear evidence of having been smashed with heavy objects.

The President of the Traders' Association, Mr. Ifeanyi Peter Okoye, recounted the ordeal, explaining that members arrived early Tuesday to open for business only to discover the destruction. He stated that multiple glass panels in their shops had been damaged beyond use.

Okoye disclosed that for two consecutive days preceding the attack, the traders had been receiving threatening messages from persons they identified as area boys operating around the motor park. He linked the intimidation to the traders' attendance at certain public gatherings, among them the birthday ceremony of the governor's wife and an event marking Governor Ademola Adeleke's election victory.

He lamented that the persistent threats had crippled commercial activity in the area, with customers staying away out of fear of being caught in a possible attack. He maintained that his members were law-abiding Nigerians simply eking out a living, and condemned what he called the deliberate targeting of their businesses.

Narrating his experience, another trader who identified himself as Anayo said the hoodlums had been issuing threats since Saturday and had now carried out their promise to destroy their means of livelihood.

Several other traders, who declined to disclose their names for fear of reprisals, corroborated the account, alleging that they were being singled out because of their perceived support for Governor Adeleke during and after the recently concluded polls.

Efforts to get a reaction from the Osun State Police Command proved abortive, as the Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, neither answered calls nor responded to messages as of the time this report was filed.

The incident has heightened worries in the state, which has witnessed violent garage clashes during and after the elections, with traders now calling for urgent protection of lives and property in the area.

Osun SWAN Holds Seminar, Decorates New Patrons

 

Osun SWAN Holds Seminar, Decorates New Patrons

The Osun State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has organised a seminar on professionalism in sports journalism and decorated four prominent individuals as patrons of the association.

The event, held on Saturday at the Osun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Osogbo, also featured discussions on the changing landscape of sports journalism and the need for practitioners to embrace new media while upholding professional standards.

Speaking the chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Osun State Council, Dr. Adeyemi Aboderin urged SWAN members without certificates relevant to their professional progression to take advantage of programmes offered by the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ).

Delivering a lecture titled “Qualifications, Competence, Credibility: The New Path for Sports Journalists,” Aboderin said acquiring relevant qualifications would help members avoid possible disqualification during elections, stressing the importance of professional credentials within the association and the wider journalism industry

He encouraged sports journalists operating blogs and other online platforms to join the newly inaugurated Osun Online Media Chapel of the NUJ.

Also speaking on the topic, “The Modern Sports Journalist: Tools, Truth and Trust in New Media,” Mr Tunde Shamsudeen urged sports journalists to maximise the opportunities provided by new media.

Shamsudeen stressed that the speed of digital platforms should not come at the expense of accuracy, urging journalists to investigate information thoroughly before publication.

In his goodwill message, Chairman of the Osun Correspondents Chapel of the NUJ, Shina Abubakar, charged journalists to remain committed to investigative journalism.

Abubakar also emphasised the importance of balance in reporting, urging journalists investigating issues to contact all parties involved and give them an opportunity to respond before publication.

The General Manager of the Osun State Sports Council, Ademola Daini, called on SWAN to be proactive in its activities and urged members to ask questions on issues affecting sports development in the state.

Representing the Chairman of the Osun State Football Association (FA), Mayor Sola Fanawopo, the association’s Secretary, Amoo Abayomi, assured SWAN of the FA’s continued partnership and support.

The event was attended by former chairmen of the association, Shittu Alamu and Muyideen Adeleke, as well as sports administrators and stakeholders, including the Vice Chairman of Osun United, Prince Ayo Odidi; Community Relations Manager of Osun United, Alhaji Abimbola Risky; football enthusiast, Mr Femi Faramade; and Board Member of the Osun FA, Comrade Fatai Salami.

The association also decorated four new patrons - Olayiwola Olafiranye, Adamu Mohammed, Timothy Folaranmi and Michael Omage.

In there acceptance speech, they expressed appreciation to Osun SWAN for the honour and pledged their partnership and support for the association.

Earlier in his address, the Chairman of Osun SWAN, Timothy Agbor, who was represented by his Vice Chairman, Seun Omolola, expressed appreciation to the founding fathers of the association for their contributions to its growth.

Agbor said the association remained committed to strengthening its relationship with stakeholders and was ready to partner with relevant individuals and organisations for the development of sports in Osun State.

He said such partnerships would contribute to the growth of sports journalism and the broader sports sector in the state.

International Friendly: Ndidi, Simon, Nwabali lead Super Eagles to Nizhny Novgorod for Russia

 

International Friendly: Ndidi, Simon, Nwabali lead Super Eagles to Nizhny Novgorod for Russia

 

Coach Éric Chelle also on Thursday released his list of 24 players that will battle Russia’s senior men national team in a friendly game scheduled for the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday, 6th October.

 

The squad will be led by captain Wilfred Ndidi, with ace forward Moses Simon, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Benjamin Fredricks, midfielder Raphael Onyedika, and forwards Moses Simon and Akor Adams also called.

 

Finland-based goalkeeper Samuel James, Switzerland-based defender Victory Akpe, and a sextet of midfielders and trio of forwards will enter the Nigeria senior team camp for the first time.    

 

24 SUPER EAGLES FOR FRIENDLY MATCH VERSUS ‘THE BOYS’ OF RUSSIA

 

Goalkeepers: Michael Atata (Ikorodu City); Samuel James (SJK FC, Finland); Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)

 

Defenders: Kenneth Igboke (Enugu Rangers); Isaac James (Alverca FC, Portugal); Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford FC, England); Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Victory Akpe (FC Basel, Switzerland); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham FC, England); Abdullahi Bewene (FC Banik Ostrava, Czechia)

 

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany); Chibuzo Nwoko (Fulham FC, England); Stephen Michael (Vendsyssel FF, Denmark); Igor Wilfred (Kristiansund FC, Norway); Ridwan Abdulrasaq (Al Wasl, UAE); Suleiman Mubarak (Slavia Prague, Czechia); Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City);

 

Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Akor Adams (Venezia FC, Italy); Peter Edokpolor (SL Benfica, Portugal); Abubakar Umar (FC Famalicao, Portugal); Abdullahi Umar (Hradec Kralove, Czechia)

AFCON 2027 Race: Chelle Invites Ndidi, Osimhen, Iwobi, 21 Others For Barea & Wild Dogs

AFCON 2027 Race: Chelle Invites Ndidi, Osimhen, Iwobi, 21 Others For Barea & Wild Dogs

 

Head Coach Éric Chelle has listed captain Wilfred Ndidi, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defender Semi Ajayi, midfielder Alex Iwobi, forwards Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon in his 24-man roster for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea Bissau, both within the next 12 days.

 

The Super Eagles host Madagascar’s Barea at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Friday, 25th September, before flying to Bissau to take on the Wild Dogs in a Day 2 encounter on Tuesday, 29th September.

 

Chelle has also called goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Calvin Bassey and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika, and forwards Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams and Tolu Arokodare.

 

England-based defenders Olaoluwa Aina and Benjamin Fredricks return to the fold, while Unity Cup revelations goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo and defender Chibuike Nwaiwu will battle for shirts with more established names.

 

Portugal-based defender Isaac James teams up with the three-time African champions for the first time, same for forwards George Ilhenikina and Moses Usor.