In the draws and fixtures announced on Saturday in Ilorin, 16 participating teams have been paired into four groups with four teams each.

Group A have the defending champions NNL All Stars with Jazzy Stars from Jos, HMK FC from Osogbo and AMAPRO Selected Sporting Academy.

Pro Leaguers, Terworh Sports Club, Kwara Football Academy and Abraysport FC made up of teams in Group B.

Group C have ABS FC, Dickalo FA, Success Tiyu FA and DA Faria FC while Group comprises of NPFL All Stars, Gateway FC, Barrier Sport Club and Laycon FA.

The opening day fixtures will see Abraysport FC taking on Kwara Football Academy by 8am at the KFA Pitch A while ABS FC will engage Dickalo FA at the Pitch B at the same time.

Match billed for 10am of the opening day will see the Pro Leaguers taking on Terworh SC at Pitch A as Da Faria FC from Lagos faces Success Tiyu Academy at the Pitch B.

AMAPRO SSA against HMK FC (Pitch A) and Barrier SC against Gateway FA at Pitch B of the KFA are the matches fixed for 2pm on Monday.

Jazzy Stars’ encounter with NNL All Stars will be taking place at Pitch B by 4pm as the match between NPFL All Stars and Laycon FA at the Pitch A will be used for the Opening Ceremony.

Subsequent matches in group stage will also take place on Tuesday and Wednesday at the same venues while the final will be decided on Sunday 14th of August at the Main Bowl of the Kwara State Stadium, Ilorin.

BrainBehind the competition, Shogo Shodunnke told newsmen in Ilorin that new grounds will be broken in this year’s edition as scouts from Europe, UK and around the world will be presents to pick exceptional talents.

Shodunnke stressed that other innovations like live streaming, players’ stats, games’ stats among others will be introduced.

He added that the championship is still open for more partnerships to make it more colorful and memorable.

NNL Allstars defeated Abraysport FC by penalties in last year’s final.

This year’s version will be the seventh edition of the tournament with professional and amateur players expected to take part.

Competition will hold from 8th to 14th August.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of the brand, Shogo Shodunnke, the tournament will see 16 teams participating.

Under the auspices of the Kwara State Football Association, AMAPRO has grown in status over the years due to large number of quality players and teams participating and the proper management of the tournament by its organisers.

Shodunnke revealed that this year’s edition which would take place in Ilorin, Kwara (as usual). The competition would look to be an improvement on the high standard to the previous editions.

“We are expecting teams from near and far, in and out of Kwara State to participate in the competition this year and we promise to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that teams get the right platform to express their talents and that fans get the opportunity of watching the future stars of the country,” Shodunnke stated.

He further confirmed that Football scouts and agents from Europe are expected to be in Kwara to watch this year’s edition.

Shodunnke, a FIFA trained Sports Manager has been widely applauded by fans and participating clubs for his tireless efforts in organising the competition which has produced young players that are currently playing their trade at the top level both home and abroad.

NPFL All Stars, Jazzy Stars, Terwoh Sports Club, Tiyu Football Academy, AMAPRO Selected, NLO All Stars, NNL All Stars, Abraysport FC, Kwara Football Academy and Dickalo Football Academy have confirmed their readiness for the competition.

The partners of the seventh edition of Amapro Football Competition are Kwara State Sports Commission, Kwara State Football Association, Kwara Football Academy, Excel All Stars, Cyteck Engineering, Afribase Nig Ltd, Afase Nig Ltd, TSTV, Dickalo Nig. Ltd and Abraysport.

Further information on the competition can be gotten from 08033408685.

NNL All Stars were crowned champions of the 6th edition of Amapro Football Championship after they defeated Abraysports 4-2 on penalties.

The full time score stood at 1-1 even as both teams tried to outwit themselves while trying to take their chances during the game.

Abraysports had the better of the match as they dominated play creating several scoring chances in the first stanza.

Obadun Abdulrasheed jumped highest in the area to nod home the opener for Ilorin based Abraysports on 30 minutes.

Ibrahim Hameed curled the ball beyond the wall and it rested at the back of the net for NNL All Stars’ leveller.

All Stars dominated play in the second half and should have won it but the Abraysports defence were solid keeping their lines.

Both teams then had to decide their fate via penalties after the referee signaled end of the game.

The end result saw the NNL All Stars winning the game 4-2 on shoot out, thus claiming the trophy of the 6th edition of the Amapro Football Championship.

NNL All Stars’ Innocent Christian was voted King of Amapro Football Championship while ABS FC goalkeeper Nasiru Toheeb was picked as Prince of the competition.

The 2021 AMAPRO Football Championship final will be decided on Sunday between surprise package AbraySports and NNL All Stars.

The Ladi Ojokojo led NNL All Star team edged Da Faria 4-3 on penalties after regulation was 1-1, while Abraysports humbled William Falla 3-1.

Samson Isiaka put the Lagos based team ahead with a cool finish in the 3rd minute of the game.

All Stars came from behind to cancel Da Faria lead as Sodiq Alamoyo slotted into the bottom corner on 25 minutes.

The second half was even for both teams as they displayed best of football artistry to the amusement of the Ilorin fans.

NNL All Stars shot stopper, Muyiwa Majolagbe turned hero of the afternoon as he stopped two spot kicks from Da Faria as his team scored four of their spot kicks.

Coach of NNL All Stars Ladi Ojokojo was full of praise to his boys who whethered the storm against the dangerous Da Faria side.

“We knew how talented the opposition were. Our plan was to score first and try to consolidate. But it was the other way round,” he explained.

“The fighting spirit showed by my boys really made me proud. We can’t afford to celebrate for now because a bigger task awaits us.

In the other semi-final game, William Falla got the first goal with a fine finish from Ramon Azeez.

A rejuvenated NNL All Stars showed class as they scored an equalizer in the 20th minute as Victor Atteh curled home a sweet free kick.

Obadun Abdulrasheed powered home a delicious header at the near post as Abraysports went in front.

Obalowu Nofiu made the game safe for the Ilorin based side with the third goal at the dying embers.

Head coach of Abraysports Bolade Ezekiel admitted that his wards relied on counter attacks to defeat William Falla and promised to upset NNL All Stars in the final.

“It was more of a tactical game but we dealt with the pressure from William Falla. We relied on counter attacks to punish them,” Kolade enthused.

“The game against NNL All Stars will be technical because they are more matured. With our tactical gift we will be victorious.

The final will be held on Sunday at the main bowl of the Kwara Stadium Complex, Ilorin. Kickoff is 4pm.

Fresh, Ahlan, Gusau, Alkali storm Ilorin for Amapro Football Championship final

NFF top shots grace Amapro Football Championship final

Ahlan, Fresh, Gusau, Alkali set to add colour to Amapro Football Championship grand finale

The prestigious Amapro Football Championship final is set as expected as arrangements have been concluded ahead of what would be a glamorous event.

Amapro Football Championship final will be decided on Sunday 29th August at the Kwara Stadium Complex, with NNL All Stars facing Abraysports. Kickoff is at 4pm Nigerian time.

Distinguished football administrators, coaches, club owners and top media personnel will grace the finals among who are NFF Technical Committee Chairman Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, NFF Chairman of Chairmen Ibrahim Musa Gusau, NFF Referee Committee Chairman Inuwa Shariff Ahlan and NLO Chairman Mohammed Alkali.

Others are Kwara State Sports Commission Chairman Bola Mogaji, Former Kwara United Chairman Thompson Oladimeji aka Henry George and Director of Football ABS FC High Chief Alloy Chukwuemeka.

Organizers of #Amapro21 have offered assurances of a memorable experience to the finalists, fans and top football administrators that will be in the Kwara capital for the finals of the sixth edition of the competition.

Partners of the 2021 Amapro Football Championship are Kwara State Government, Kwara State Sports Commission, Kwara State Football Association, Phreestyle Sports, Sports Pro, Kwara State Referee Counsil, Sports Lens, Onward News 24, Sports Retina, FutbalgaloreMedia, Waniko Table Water, Diamond Sports Management, TSTV, Scout4Star, Cyteck Engineering, Afribased Projects Limited, Konami Prints, Harlex Graphix Design, Twinstech Universal Builder and H4 Foundation.

The annual competition, which is created to integrate professionals with amateur players and also to discover talents started on an entertaining note with 9 goals scored on the first day.

The first game of the day saw Mokwa FA claim a 2-1 win over a strong-willed Olanshile Football Academy.

Yunusa Isah opened the scoring in the 11th minute from a well taken spot kick, before Olansile responded quickly with a fine goal from Fakunle Abayomi in the 19th minute.

Liman Musa put Mokwa FA back in front in the 32nd minute. The Niger boys closed shop and sealed three points.

Meanwhile, in the second game of the day, Abraysport FC cruised to a 2-1 victory over Hammola Int’l FC courtesy of a brace from Omolaoye Abiodun.

In the last game of the day, Amapro Selected gave a good account of themselves losing 2-1 to NPFL All Stars.

Shola Abdulraheem scored the opener for NPFL All Stars with a fine strike inside the area in the 23rd minute before Yakub Hammed extended the lead with a screamer in the 29th minute.

Minutes into the second half, Abdulrahman Bashir missed the chance of putting the game beyond Amapro Selected as he hit the crossbar from the penalty spot.

Amapro Selected got back in the game after Oyelade Michael scored from the spot in the 70th minute. However, despite the fight from Amapro Selected, NPFL All-Stars still saw out the win in style.

Games continue on Tuesday with scouts ready to select the talented players.

Day One Results:

Mokwa FA 2-1 Olansile FA
Hammola Int’l FC 1-2 Abraysport FC
NPFL All-stars 2-1 Amapro Selected

By Abdul Momoh

The Chairman of Abray Football Club of Ilorin, Abdullahi Yusuf has said everything is set for the scouting program of the club which is expected to start in Ilorin next month.

Yusuf stated this Saturday while answering questions from our reporter in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

According to him, ‘it has been my passion to grow football in Kwara State hence the rationale behind the forth coming scouting event .’

“Everything is set now for the scouting event. We are just waiting for it to begin. Already we have 10 teams that are participating and is going to be for 5 days event. The scouts are coming from Sweden and England.

” Football business has gone global and its a big business venture. So why can’t we cut out of the apple everybody is getting. Ilorin should have the opportunity of having scouts to come and pick good players,” the Kwara born ex footballer said.

He added that scouting for players in Nigeria has always restricted to Lagos State hence the need to break the trend and bring it down to Kwara state.

“Football talent hunt used to be in Lagos before, and think it is high time we bring it down to Ilorin. Ilorin is our home, let see how many players they can get when they come. This coming scouting event will be one of the many we will be doing.

” We are in full synergy with the Kwara State Football Association and they have been fantastic and supportive. There is going to be press conference on the 14th of June at the FA Secretariat which will heralds the scouting program, ” he stressed.

The Abraysport boss further added that all is set for the construction of Abray stadium in the state as he hoped to see Abray Football club in the Nigerian top league soonest.

“Abray FC should be expected at the top league in soonest time. I want to have my own stadium in Kwara very soon. Football is a big business and we have to put the needed infrastructure on ground. Hopefully in soonest time Abray stadium will be built.

” Football has been my life. I played for Pako FC, Kwara stars, Julius Berger before I travelled out. I played FSB Frankfurt in Germany, Hufanbry kickers. I played for 5 season abroad before I stopped playing.

“Football development has evolved in Kwara. It is a process and we will get there. When I came back home, I scouted for players across Kwara and we noted that the state is blessed with exceptional players that can play anywhere.

” So the composition of Abray football club is 70 pee cent of indigenous players because you have to sell your own to the world. It will be my joy by tomorrow to see players from Kwara state playing at top globs abroad, ” Yusuf said.

Chairman of Abraysport FC Mr Abdullahi Yusuf has concluded plans to invite foreign football scouts to Ilorin through a scouting tournament named Super Talent Football Scouting Tournament (STFST).

The tournament is organized by First Class Sports Marketing (FCSM) in conjunction with Abraysports International, an organization led by Mr. Abdullahi Yusuf.

Ahead of the tournament, Mr. Abdullahi revealed that he is organizing this tournament to give back to the state by exposing the grassroots players to foreign opportunities.

He, however, confirmed that the process of selection of players will not be influenced.

“Football is business, and a lot of talents are wasting in the grassroots. I want to give back to the state by developing football in Kwara State.”

“The scouts are professionals that can identify talented players, and nobody will impose or recommend a player for them to pick.

Super Talent Football Scouting Tournament is an avenue for talented grassroots players in the country to showcase their talents and to secure a deal abroad.

The tournament begins on 14 – 18 June 2021, with all the matches to be played at the Kwara State Stadium.

A total of ten teams are expected to participate in the tournament.

Abraysport FC secure their first win of the NLO season following a 1-0 victory over Olisa FC.

After a goalless first half, Ahmed Ahmed tap-in a cut-back pass from Omolaoye Abiodun to secure the victory.

Omolaoye Abiodun had a chance inside the box but could not get the right contact to put the ball at the back of the net.

In the second half, Adesina Mayowa fires in a free-kick but Ayanda Toluwase could not tap-in the rebound.

Toluwase was presented with a chance at the edge of the box but his curled shot was saved by the goalkeeper.

With seven minutes to the end of the game, Omolaoye Abiodun cut-back a pass which Ahmed Ahmed tap-in for the breakthrough.

The lads held-on to the victory and secure the first three points of the season.

After the game, coach Gbolade Ezekiel Zico hailed the player’s character and attitude towards picking the three points.

According to him, the boys played to instruction but were unlucky with the chances missed.

“They played with a lot of desire and deserve the credit for the victory today.”

“We asked them to press high to force mistakes from the opponent in dangerous positions on the pitch.”

“We could have scored more but the ball refused to end at the back of the net, and the opponent’s goalkeeper had a great game.”

Lineup

Alase Suleiman, Mathias Oladosu, Adetoro Mikail, Atteh Victor, Adesina Mayowa, Eze Sunday (Abdulhakeem Baki 77′), Abdulmumini Kabir (Abdullahi Hadi 77′) Omolaoye Abiodun, Solabi Olabode (Olorunfemi Adebayo 77′), Ayanda Toluwase (Bello Kazeem 82′), Ahmed Ahmed.

Coach – Gbolade Ezekiel Zico

Goalscorer – Ahmed Ahmed 83′

Yellow Card – (Eberechi Eze 58′, Adetoro Mikail 73′)

Before landing in Kwara state, Abraysports were based in Oregun, Lagos and they have spent two seasons in the Lower Division.

On their arrival in the State of Harmony, the club immediately registered and affiliated themselves with the Kwara Football Association who then gave them the approval to carry on with their activities.

The owner of the club Mr Abdullahi Adekunle Yussuf confirmed that he decided to bring his football team to Kwara state so as to gain promotion to the higher division of the Nigerian football.

Abdullahi who is a successful businessman and agent also made it clear that he is ready to recruit good Kwara-born players in his team as a means of empowerment for the talented young footballers.

“I decided to bring my team to Kwara state because I am a Kwaran and I know that my people here love football and together we will achieve our aims and objectives.

“I am hereby calling and asking for the support of all football stakeholders for Abraysports to perform well in the coming season,” he explained.

In his efforts to make sure that his players lack nothing, Abdullahi Adekunle Yussuf has rented the football pitch of the Lower Niger River basin for the next one year where his players will be training and he has also hired an expert who will make sure that the grass of the pitch comes out good for the team.

He has also gotten a nice and conducive club house for his players in Basin where they will be staying.

Abdullahi Adekunle Yussuf hails from Offa in Offa Local Government, and he is the elder brother of Honorable Gbenga Yussuf JK who is a member of the Kwara State House of Assembly.