According to the organizers, the nomination came as a result of the 36 Lion Chief’s philanthropic gestures and ability to work with different people irrespective of their tribe and religious inclination.

“Hajj Gafar’s empowerment of youths and women in the area of skills acquisition and mentorship impressed the panelists to deem him worthy of the award,” National Coordinator of National Youth for Women Empowerment and Education Development in Nigeria, Ambassador Ibrahim Ibrahim added.

The talent developer is one of the most successful grassroot administrator in Nigeria with series of successful international transfer deals by 36 Lion.

He was the brain behind the recently concluded 2022 Jagaban Cup which was a success.

The Award was presented to Hajj Olawale Liameed Gafar by Ambassador Ibrahim Ibrahim at the office of 36 Lion Football Club in National Stadium on Monday.

According to 36 Lion Adviser, Gafar Olawale Liameed, the nine-time Azerbaijan Premier League champions have invited the player over to Baku.

Oluka was spotted by Neftchi Baku at the recently concluded Jagaban Cup that took place at Mobolaji Johnson Arena.

He was the best midfielder on display at the four-day tournament which had the backing of 36 Lion Investment, Diamond Sports Management and Lagos Enigma.

As you would expect from any young Nigerian prospect, Oluka ranks as one of the highly rated Nigerian midfielders who can boast of an exciting work-rate, supreme technique and passing ability.

He does have the invention, creativity and has been earmarked as a “destroyer” that is, shutting down the opposition’s play in midfield, outside, and just about everywhere.

One trait that sets Oluka apart from his peers is his intelligent movement. On a basic level, he has good pace and acceleration which allows him to provide adequate guard for defenders.

Given his great mobility, he’s not afraid to work and play from the channels.

Oluka’s spatial awareness is good enough that he’s often initiating attacking moves and playing quick combinations. He is expected to impress the coaching staff of Black and Whites.

The two teams tried to cancel out each other before the regulation time but there was nothing to separate them until penalty was used to decide the maiden champions. Smart City proved to more precise in the penalty shootout winning by 5-4.

Earlier, 36 Lion narrowly lost the third place match to Ikorodu City via penalty shootouts too after both teams failed to score any goal during the regulation period.

Despite the heroics of 36 Lion goalkeeper, Samuel Oriola who saved two of Ikorodu City’s spot kicks to take the penalties to sudden death, the latter still triumphed 3-2 after NPFL La Liga U15 Promises graduate Sulaimon Lawal blasted the decisive spot kick beyond the Lions’ goalie’s gaping hands.

The exhibition match between Community Team and Family Team ended 1-1.

It was a fantastic and thrilling end to the first edition of the Jagaban Cup which drew out over 7000 Lagosians to the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.

The tournament was organised to galvanize support for All Progressives Congress Presidential Candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is the frontline candidate for the 2023 Presidential Election and the tournament has delivered on Its promises and even exceeded expectations.

The tournament was packaged by 36 Lion Investment, Diamond Sports Management and Lagos Enigma.

On a frenetic third and concluding day of the group stage of the Jagaban Cup 2022, Messiah FC punctured the aspirations of 36 Lion from qualifying for the final of the tournament and will now contest the grand finale and the race for the top prize against Smart City FC on Friday November 18th.

36 Lion and Smart City FC were in vantage position to nick the tickets to the final of the tournament earmarked to gather electoral support for the Presidential Candidate of All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2023 elections, after the conclusion of Day Two matches.

But while one went according to script at the end of the group games on Thursday, things changed for the second dramatically.

Before Thursday games, Jagaban Cup 2022 finalists, Messiah FC were in fourth position and were not among the teams expected to finish in the top two but they defeated De Potters FC and MFM by identical 2-1 to move to the top with nine points from four games.

Earlier, favourites, 36 Lion were forced to a goalless by Badagry United who played the spoilers’ role to record only their second point of the tournament. The draw proved to be suitable for the second spot after the Lions earned seven points from four games.

Relegated from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) last season, MFM fell short at the last moments too to pick a top-two spot in the tournament after they were surprisingly beaten by Messiah in a game a win would have taken them to top spot in Group A. They finished third with five points.

In Group B, Smart City ended in top spot with seven points despite losing their last group game to FC Bethel 1-0. They had better goals difference than Ikorodu City and FC Bethel who also finished with seven points each.

Ikorodu City shocked football purists to finish in the top two. They were bottom of the group on Day Two but chalked up two important wins on Thursday against FC Bethel and Olukismet FC by identical 1-0 each to move to the second spot. FC Bethel finished third.

The grand finale comes up on Friday between Messiah FC and Smart City FC. Before the final, 36 Lion and Ikorodu City will trade tackles to determine the third best team.

In the opening Group A game played at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos, 36 Lion defeated Messiah FC 2-0 through the goals of Odom Chika and Edem Joseph while Smart City pipped Olukismet 2-1 in a Group B tie.

Alade Balogun drew the curtain raiser from the penalty spot in the 26th minute for Smart City and he doubled the advantage in the 42nd minute for his second goal of the game. Olukismet reduced the goals arrears in the 49th minute through Abdulrazaq Ridwan.

In another game played, Lateef Ganiu’s late double sealed a 2-0 win for De Potters over hard fighting Badagry United FC while FC Bethel relied on Taiwo Adebayor’s 40th minute strike to tame Jo Sportyne 1-0.

Relegated MFM managed to defeat 36 Lion 2-1 in the fifth game of the opening day of hostilities to hand the Lions their first defeat of the tournament. Saliu Murtala popped up with the opener for the Olukoya Boys in the 28th minute but 36 Lion replied with the equaliser in the 43rd minute through Ede Joseph. MFM had the last laugh when Ishyaku Yusuf swept the ball into the top corner for what turned out to be the winning goal in the 54th minute.

Day One fixtures was completed with the exciting 1-1 draw between Ikorodu City and Smart City FC.

At the end of the first day of hostilities, De Potters are atop in Group A with three points from one game while 36 Lion and MFM FC are second and third with three points each also but Lions have played two games. Badagry United and Messiah FC are fourth and fifth with no point yet.

In Group B, Smart City are at the top with four points from two games. FC Bethel are second with three points while Ikorodu City are in third spot with a point. Olukismet and Jo Sportyne are yet to secure any point.

The Jagaban Cup games continue on Wednesday morning at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.

It’s the first edition of the tournament and will be hosted at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan.

In the draw conducted on Tuesday at Lagos SWAN Secretariat, Group A is made up of 36 Lion, Messiah FC, Badagry United, De Potters and MFM FC, while Group B houses Smart City, Olukismet, FC Bethel, Jo Sportyne and Ikorodu City.

36 Lion and Smart City will slug it out in the opening match at Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Tuesday. Kickoff is 7am.

Coordinator of Jagaban Cup, Mr Wale Joseph explained modalities on how the competition will become successful.

He appealed to clubs on the need to embrace fair play and the rules of the game.

Brain behind the tournament, Hajj Olawale Gafar Liameed explained the reason for the competition which is on a No Offside Basis.

“There is no other job as good as football and coaching. This is a scouting tournament that involves Belgium, Czech Republic, Norway and Finland. We will be having minimum of three Europeans for the scouting tournament,” he explained.

“It is called Jagaban Cup because Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is our father. He is the renewed hope. It’s time to do for him. That’s why we have the hashtag, let’s do for the doer. The competition will be an annual event. We will take the competition to the next level. We will host the tournament for a long time. It has come to stay. Asiwaju is a leader and he needs our support. In the name of Jagaban Cup, we are here to build future stars.”

“If you want to be a talent developer, you must be an identifier. A good talent doesn’t need too many minutes to be recognized. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the best talent developer. This tournament has come to stay. Thanks for coming, God will give you the strength to identify the best talents. The scouts are decision makers. If a player is good, he will be recommended. We will also have few scouts who represent the NPFL. Our league needs the best on the domestic font. Some players would be selected to beef up the best teams in Nigeria also.

“The best referees would officiate games, so expect fairness. The scouts are the decision makers. Total package is coming to the clubs. The budget for this project is #20m. Already we have spent over #25m. It’s like climbing the Mountain to feed our players. The more reason we broke the bank to fund this project. This is the first time that we are organizing a Scouting Tournament where clubs didn’t pay a dime. FIFA frowns at third party ownership. If a player is selected, we would allow you deal directly with the scout. That’s what we call Total Package. We see Football as Palace and Sky where every bird flies. Every club will deal with scouts directly, we would be there to serve as Supervisors. We won’t collect a dime from your cut. We want the best players to be selected,” he added.

Jagaban Cup is proudly supported by 36 Lion Investment, Diamond Sports Management and The Enigma.

The Full Draws

Group A

36 Lion
Messiah FC
Badagry United
De Potters
MFM FC

Group B
Smart City
Olukismet
FC Bethel
Jo Sportyne
Ikorodu City

Tournament Director, Mr Wale Joseph explained that the competition is billed to hold for four days.

“On November 15th, six games would hold at Mobolaji Johnson Arena,” Wale Joseph began.

“Day two will see six matches take place at same venue.”

“Day three shall also witness six games being played. The last day will see third place and final holding.

He continued: “Games on 15th, 16th and 17th will be played from 7am to 2pm.”

“There shall be no semi final games. Winners of each Group will proceed to the final.”

“Two runners up of each group shall play the third place match at 2pm kickoff on the Friday November 18th.

“The reason for November 14th check-in is for every club to arrive on time and not be held up in the morning rush hour traffic,” the experienced Journalist and Administrator added.

Meanwhile, teams participating at Jagaban Cup have been confirmed their readiness for the competition with Hotels fully booked.

For easy movement during the competition, teams would lodge at some of the best Hotels at Lagos Island.

Ikorodu City, Messiah FC, MFM FC, Olukismet, Badagry United, De Potters, FC Bethel, Jo Sportyne, Smart City and 36 Lion have all confirmed their participation at the tournament.

Arrival of European scouts has been confirmed. It is guaranteed that two of them will touch down in Nigeria on 13th November.

Media parley and draws would hold on 14th November inside the SWAN Hall of the National Stadium Surulere. Time is 3pm.

Five thousand T-Shirts would be distributed for free on the day of the Grand Finale.

Clubs would be divided into two groups of 5 teams each for a round robin style format of 70 minutes per match.

The winner of each group shall meet in the final of 40 minutes per half game (80 minutes).

The runners up of each group shall play 3rd place match of 40 minutes per half.

Japaban Cup will hold from November 15th to 18th at Mobolaji Johnson Arena.

The project is an initiative of 36 Lion Investment, Diamond Sports and Lagos Enigma.

It is a known fact that sports is a unifying factor in nation building. When its time for sports, people forget difference in class, age, ethnic or religion.

Messages are well received and actions are quickly taken when sports is used as a vessel for its dissemination.

As Nigeria prepares for important moments of her political life, politicians have begin quest to drum support for themselves and there followers are doing same, using sports as means of campaign.

Some are are also doing same as sensitization to obtain and protect their Permanent Voters Card, PVC ahead of the general elections.

One body that is not left out of such is one of the most recognized football teams in Nigeria, 36 Lion of Lagos.

Their President, Hajj Liameed Gaffar has come up with a plan to organize a football tourney tagged Jagaban Cup in a bid to mobilize support for All Progressive Congress, APC Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Hajj Liameed told onwardnews24.com that arrangements have been made to set up a GIANT banner at the Badagry roundabout in Lagos that will be visible to 300,000 people of Badagry and for millions of travelers along the ECOWAS axis.

According to the Football technocrat, “This is just the beginning of many grassroots awareness we shall be doing for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

“My trade is football. My party is APC. My Governor is Sanwoolu. MY PRESIDENT IS ASIWAJU THE JAGABAN BORGU.

“Please be on the look out also for the Jagaban Cup coming to a stadium near you.

“The awareness is a driving parade at the Badagry axis,” he added.

The ‘Jagaban Cup’ kick-off November 15th.

Ace Sports writer Abayomi Ademetan popularly known as FutbalGalore has teamed up with Alhaji Gafar Liameed’s 36 Lion in a very short ceremony held at the club’s secretariat in Lagos.

Alhaji Gafar is a well known grassroot developer as his team has nurtured so many players from the grassroot to the top of world footballing map.

Top on the list are Junior Ajayi (Smouha), Moses Usor, Peter Olayinka and Yina Sor (Slava Prague), these are players that have excelled in Egypt and Europe respectively.

Speaking shortly after the unveiling, FutbalGalore as Mr Ademetan is widely known disclosed that the opportunity to learn plus the love for young players drew him closer to Hajji Gafar.

“I feel proud and very honored to have been identified with a man that has made men out of young boys,”

“He is one man I called father as he we all know him, he is a promoter of grassroot football.

“We have enough talents in the rural areas and we will need more people in the mould of Hajji Gafar to fish them out.”

“The first agenda for me in peace is to use my role in the media to promote Hajji Gafar and the workings around 36 Lion but first we need to see that Hajji Gafar becomes a board member of the Nigerian Football Federation tomorrow,” He concluded,

36 Lion graduate, Samson Akinyoola signed a three-year deal that will keep him at Zamalek till June 30th 2025.

The White Knights have been proactive in the summer transfer window so far after securing deals for several key players.

They managed to sign Senegal U-23 international Ibrahima Ndiaye from Swiss club FC Luzern for an undisclosed fee to replace Achraf Bencharki. Also joining was Tala’a El-Geish defender Mostafa El-Zenary.

Morocco’s Zakaria El-Wardi later arrived from Raja Casablanca to strengthen Zamalek’s midfield signing a three-year contract.

Club president Mortada Mansour had previously confirmed that Zamalek reached an agreement to sign Pyramids’ Nabil Emad Dunga as well as Tala’a El-Gaish defender Mostafa El-Zenary.

The latest is 36 Lion product Samson Akinyoola who becomes their seventh summer acquisition.

The 22-year-old Beninese striker is a rising star. During the 2021 Venezuelan Premier Division season, he scored 18 goals in 34 combined appearances across the regular season and playoffs as Caracas – the country’s most successful club – went all the way to the final before eventually losing to Deportivo Tachira.

Akinyoola – who had a previous spell with Slovakian top-flight side FK Senica – also chipped in with six assists, while he found the net twice in four Copa Libertadores matches.

He scored eight goals in 2022 for Caracas.

Nicknamed the ‘Bison’ for his broad physique, Akinyoola is strong and surprisingly explosive given his large frame and lack of height. He’s also skillful and clinical in front of goal.