NPFL/La Liga U15 champions Remo Stars were crowned winners of the one week soccer fiesta after they pipped their Osun State counterparts 1-0 to lift the title last weekend in Osogbo.

Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Secretary General Dr Tijani Yusuf who was among top Nigerian football egg-heads that graced the grand finale couldn’t hide his delight as he showered praises on Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi (Lagos); Otunba Sunday Dele-Ajayi (Ondo), Bayo Olanlege (Ekiti), Gani Majekodunmi (Ogun), James Adeniran (Oyo) and Alhaji Mustapha Abulrasaq (Osun) for the initiative and deeming it right to immortalize the late Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi.

“The Western Nigeria Football Forum deserves all the accolades for immortalising Taiwo Ogunjobi with a youth tournament.

“You can’t talk about the sucesses Nigeria has recorded in the beautiful round leather game without giving credit to Ogunjobi.

“He had passion for football development at all levels and he dedicated his life to it as a former player with IICC Shooting Stars, Green Eagles (now Super Eagles) and as an administrator in the capacity as a Board Member with Shooting Stars, Club Chairman (Prime FC now Osun United) and as former Secretary General of NFA.

“Ogunjobi may be gone but he remains forever in our hearts as his legacies lives on. So no better way to honour him than to host this kind of befitting tournament in his name.

“I want to use this platform to asking that other zones should emulate the South West. We will share the story out as one of the post event stories.”

The Taiwo Ogunjobi Memorial Under-15 Tournament and Awards also had in attendance two other former Secretary Generals of the NFF, Dr Bolaji Ojo-Oba and Fanny Amun, President of Nigeria Referees Association, Tade Azeez, two former Shooting Stars legends who played with late Ogunjobi both at club and national levels, Felix Owolabi and Idowu Otunbusi.

Former Super Eagles and Shooting Stars legend, Mutiu Adepoju likewise President General of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club worldwide, Dr Rafiu Ladipo and son of the deceased football administrator, Lanre Ogunjobi.

The Main Organising Committee (MOC) of the Late Taiwo Ogunjobi Memorial U-15 Football Competition has been inaugurated by the 1st Vice President Nigeria Football Federation and the Coordinator of the South West Zone, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi with a charge to organise a first of its kind, world class Youth Football Competition and Awards Night.

Akinwunmi, who is also the Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association admonished the committee led by Otunba Tade Azeez and Otunba Dele Ajayi as Co Chairmen to deliver on the task of not only delivering a world class event but ensuring that it was of a standard worthy of the name and legacy of late Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi.

While inaugurating the committee, Akinwunmi expressed his absolute confidence in the MOC members and reiterated that the motive behind the organisation of the Football competition and Awards Night was to honour the memory of late Ogunjobi who was a player, a team administrator, an FA Chairman, the Secretary General of NFF and up till the time of his death, a member of Western Nigeria Football Forum, and to immortalize his name in recognition of his contribution to the growth of Football in the South West states and in the country at large.

BSA as he is popularly called said “leadership is about legacy, that is why the competition and awards night is single mindedly centred around football and our desire to immortalize late Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi.

“We therefore expect a world class event that will stand out in the history of Football in our country”.

The event will hold between August 16th and 21st in Osogbo.

Other members of the MOC are ; Oba James Odeniran, Mr Bayo Olanlege, Chief Mustapha Razaq (Chairman,Local Organizing Committee), Mr. Niyi Alebiosu, Mr Dotun Coker, Dr Bayo Oluwatoki, Mr Toyin Ibitoye, Mr.Taiwo Odebunmi, Mr Akintunde Akinsemola and Mr Sola Ogunowo(Secretary).

First Vice President of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Barrister Seyi Akinkunmi has denied reports of declaration to vie for office of NFF president.

Bar. Akinwunmi who is also the Chairman, Lagos State Football Association is currently serving his second term as number two person under Amaju Pinnick led football federation.

The distinguished legal luminary told onwardews24.com that the news about his declaration which was culled from the South West Football stakeholders meeting held last week was a complete false and another style of detractors to cause disharmony among the football family in the zone.

Akinwunmi who heads the federation’s committee on youth development said the meeting held last week was not about his intention to vie for the office of the President and such was not discussed at the meeting.

“You may have read that I had declared an intention to run for the President of the NFF.

“While there is nothing wrong with me being interested in being President, I certainly have not declared any interest and no such discussion was had at our zonal meeting. I am not one to jump the gun in anything I do, so the issue of running for Presidency is not on the front burner.

“Some people are trying to distract and disunite us because they see that we are united. This old style of blackmail cannot work with us as we in the South-West Zone are focused on the various issues raised in our communique.”

Read the communique issued at the meeting of South West Zone of football associations held in Lagos State:

COMMUNIQUE OF THE MEETING OF THE CHAIRMEN AND SECRETARIES OF THE SOUTH WEST ZONE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATIONS HELD AT NAPTIN HOTEL, LAGOS ON THE  6TH OF MAY 2022.

1.The South-West Zone Chairmen and Secretaries  were commended for the sterling work they have been doing in their various States and in the Zone to promote grassroots and youth football.

2. The Lagos State FA was commended for organising and hosting  the U-13 Western Nigeria Intensity Champions League billed to take place the next day 7th May 2022 at the newly developed Maracana Stadium, Ajegunle. While the 5 (five) other FA’s were appreciated for their effort and time spent to prepare for and bring the young footballers to the competition.

3. It was noted that the LMC/La Liga U-15 League was currently taking place in Ikenne, Ogun State with the Finals slated to take place on the 8th of May 2022. All members were encouraged to attend.

4. It was resolved that the South-West Zone must continue to maintain its leadership position in matters relating to youth football  development by the regular organisation and hosting of youth tournaments in the Zone.

5. It was noted that the hosting of these youth tournaments afforded members of the Zone the opportunity to discuss matters affecting development of football in the Zone and how to improve cordial relationship and cooperation within the Zone.

6. It was resolved that the South-West Zone will continue to work as one indivisible body with the rest of the Football Family from all zones in the best interest of Nigerian Football.

7. It was consequently resolved that henceforth in order to foster better communication and camaraderie,  any Chairman or Secretary of the South- West Zone present who attends any meeting on general Nigerian football development matters does so on behalf of the Zone and must immediately communicate resolutions to all members.

8. It was unanimously resolved that the South-West Zone must be fully committed to any move to lift the injunction/dismiss the suit in Bayelsa State Court that has prevented the convening of an Annual General Assembly since last December.

9. It was unanimously resolved that the South-West Zone must be fully committed to any move towards having the NFF Executive Committee elections held as and when due within the ambit of the law.

10. It was resolved that the South-West Zone would host a football competition in the name of former General Secretary of the NFA (as the NFF was then known) and the erstwhile chairman of the Osun State FA Chairman, the late Mr. Taiwo Ogunjobi

11. Osun State FA  and Ekiti State FA Chairmen and Lagos State FA Secretary were given the task to present the modalities for the Competition and plans for sponsorship drive and funds raised will be used to complete the building of the Osun State FA (Ogunjobi House) building.

In Attendance:

i. Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi (Chairman Lagos State FA),

ii. Alhaji Majekodunmi Ganiu (Chairman Ogun State FA),

iii. Otunba Dele Ajayi (Chairman Ondo State FA),

iv. HRM James Odeniran ( Chairman Oyo State FA),

v. Otunba Mustapha Rasaq Isola ( Chairman Osun State FA),

vi. Mr. Bayo Lanlege (Chairman Ekiti State FA),

vii. Otunba Tade Azeez (NRA President),

viii. Mr. Akeem Rabiu-Okikioposu (Secretary Lagos State FA),

ix. Mr. Pelumi Abiara (Secretary Ekiti State FA),

x. Mr. Idowu Victor (Secretary Ogun State FA),

xi. High Chief Adetoyinbo  Ibukun Ezekiel (Secretary, Ondo State FA)

xii. Mr. Akintunde Olaleye (Assistant Secretary Oyo State FA)

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) 1st Vice-President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi will on Wednesday have the honour to officially kickoff the new season of the Nationwide League One (NLO).

Akinwunmi, head of Lagos State football’s governing body will perform the ceremonial kickoff in a Lagos Derby between Smart City FC and Gbagada FC at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere-Lagos.

An official statement from the Media Department of the NLO further informed that the NFF Chairman of Youth Football Development Committee and other top dignitaries in Nigeria’s football family, Chairman NFF Technical and Development Committee, Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, Chairman NLO Alhaji Mohamed Alkali, Vice Chairman NLO Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi and NLO Chief Operating Officer (COO) Olushola Ogunnowo will be guest at the Teslim Balogun Stadium to watch the game.

According to the statement, Ogunnowo, the COO of the nation’s third-tier league, “Wednesday March 16 is less than 72 hours away to the new NLO season kickoff, everyone, the clubs, players and indeed every fan can’t wait to catch a glimpse of top grassroot football in the country.

“It’s been a long wait, which off course is not deliberate but for the good of the clubs as we needed to monitor the COVID-19 situation in the country, for us to take a final decision on if to maintain the Stadium League format or revert to the proper full season.

“We are glad to have the full season format back and nonetheless clubs are to strictly adhere to all COVID-19 rules before and after matches.

“Meanwhile, clubs too have used the waiting window to prepare themselves for the new season with proper scouting of talents, playing tune-up matches and taking part in a pre-season invitational tournaments, like the one that was held in Ikenne, that’s the Evolution Cup.

“Coaches in the NLO were not left out as many were participants in the 2nd edition of NLO/Berackiah Grassroot Football Coaching Clinic, which ended a few weeks ago in the six geo-political zones.

“Having the NFF 1st Vice President Akinwummi and other top dignitaries here at the Teslim Balogun Stadium shows the NLO’s commitment in ensuring that we catch up with the new trends in grassroot football, which is the foundation of our football development,” Ogunnowo said.

However, football fans living in Surulere, and other suburbs of Lagos are invited to come watch sublime football at the grassroot, as the kick off for the encounter between Smart City FC and Gbagada FC is 3pm.

The buzz and excitement for the Dr Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Tournament is gathering momentum, as the ever-passionate and vibrant Lagos fans eagerly look forward to welcoming the African Ladies to the City of Aquatic Splendour.

With the theme, Playing for Good, the visiting teams won’t be starved of support from the home crowd.

The pleasure of playing in Lagos is extreme. It is a place where fans are ever ready to switch their loyalty to any side that meets their football expectations.

“I will support the Mali team, even though I know that Nigeria will win the Cup,” says Emmanuella, a JSS 2 student of Birrel High School Sabo, Yaba. For her friends Bose and Ifeoluwa, both students of Onike Girls Secondary School, the Aisha Buhari Cup tournament will provide them the opportunity to see four – time African Woman Player of the Year winner, Asisat Oshoala.

“Most of our classmates talk about Asisat Oshoala; will she play? We will like to come and watch her play for Nigeria.” Emeka Ndidi, a shop owner at Shitta, Surulere, believes the rivalry among Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon is the spice that makes women football in the continent tick.

“You know the rivalry between Super Falcons and these other countries is a big one. It will be interesting to watch them and see if they can measure up to Nigeria.”

Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, South Africa, Morocco and Mali are the teams expected to test might when the tournament takes place 13th – 21st September 2021.

Meanwhile, the Federation Malienne de Football has announced a provisional squad of 38 players of the country’s women A team for the Aisha Buhari Cup, with the players set to resume camping early this week.

Mali are ranked 9th in Africa and 84th in the world.

They will be joined at the 13th – 21st September tournament in the City of Lagos by hosts Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco, South Africa and Cameroon.

MALI’S PROVISIONAL SQUAD:

Adoudou Konate Aissat Bengaly, Djouma Kamate, Oumou Kone, Aissata Sidibe, Hadiaratou Coulibaly, Nassoum Keita, Sarantou Traore, Maimouna Togola, Assetou Traore (Super Lionesses); Oumou Traore, Hawa Traore, Bassira Toure, Aicha Samake, Fatoumata Diarra (AS Mande); Fatim Bah, Zainab Sidibe, Fatoumata Konate, Fatou Dembele (Amazone CV); Fatouma Karentao, Oumou Toure, Oumou Tangara (USFAS); Awa Keita, Binta Diarra, Lala Dicko (AS Real); Maimouna Traore (AS Police); Aissata Traore (Guingamp); Aissata Diadhiou (FC RM Maison); Agaissa Diarra (CM Layoun); Coulouba Sogore (AJ Auxerre); Yakare Niakate (FC Malo); Kani Konte, Oumou Fofana (VGS Sain Maur); Haby Wande, Tiguida Diaby (AS Monaco); Tenin Sissoko (Fleury FC); Bintou Kone (Kenifra); Sebe Coulibaly (Yzeur)

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) first Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for Naija Ratels 3-star rated Hostel, located in Kurudu, Abuja Municipal Area Council.

The new 12 bedroom building will be built like a hotel and will have an indoor gym, a lounge, where the players can relax during their leisure time, a mini hall,dining areas library and the coaches chalet.

Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi who performed the ground-breaking ceremony for the building said he was impressed with what the management of Naija Ratels have been able to achieve within a short time and urge other football clubs in the country to emulate the achievements of the team.

“It is a great privilege to be here for the foundation stone laying ceremony for the construction of the new Naija Ratels Football Club Hostel.

“This is a fulfilment, not just for Naija Ratels, but that of mine and Nigerian football as a whole. Imagine that we have twenty clubs like Naija Ratels across the country, women football would have been well developed.

He continued : “Football is all about hope and that is what a club like Naija Ratels does to many young girls and footballers in the country. There is no doubt that some of these girls will play for the Super Falcons and go places, because I can see the desire and determination inside of them.

“I congratulate the team for gaining promotion and am sure they will do well at the Apex league.

Also speaking during the ground-breaking ceremony of the edifice, an elated President of Naija Ratels Football Club, Barrister Paul Edeh who couldn’t hide his joy, said the building is expected to be completed within a year, as work will begin immediately.

“I ventured into women’s football primarily to make a difference and help elevate the life of the girl-child and today we have grown as a family and gained promotion to the Premiership.

“For us, it’s a great journey and one that we have been able to learn alot. This is just the beginning, as we have achieved alot as a club within our two years of existence.

“We specifically picked this strategic location for the new hostel, because it is very close to the team’s training pitch, this will make training even more easier for the players and the coaches.

“The new edifice will be in form of a 3-star rated Hotel and will consist of 12 rooms ensuite, indoor gym, a mini hall, library, lounge etc and we have also acquired 4 hectare of land here in Abuja to build our own stadium.

Naija Ratels was founded by Barrister Paul Edeh in 2019 and have deservedly gained promotion from the Championship to the Premiership.

Lagos’ State Football Association’s quest to develop female football in the state has given birth to a new championship, the Ekofootball Queens Championships with 24 teams set to battle for the giant trophy presented by one of the board members, Prince Ifalade Oyekan.

Speaking at the LSFA office on Thursday, the Chairman of the association, who doubles as the 1st Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Seyi Akinwunmi, said the association is doing its best to improve on the height female football already attained in the state.

Akinwunmi said he was happy with the decision of the women committee of the board, led by their chairman, Yemisi Cole, to come up with the competition.

He added that LSFA has taken football to another height in the state with several innovations including returning the Super Eagles to Lagos while also hosting several national teams in the state.

Also speaking at the press conference, the Vice Chairman of LSFA, Tade Azeez, stated that the revolution experienced at the Nigeria Women Football League Super Six at the Dipo Dina International Stadium Ijebu-Ode encouraged the Lagos FA to do more for women’s football development in Nigeria, while also stressing that, majority of the players that showcased their talents at the Super Six, were players who had their early development in the game in Lagos.

The chairman of the women committee, Cole, revealed that 24 teams would be taking part in the competition that will feature only amateur players with games expected to take place at the Agege Stadium and the Legacy Pitch, National Stadium, Lagos.

According to her, the competition will run for two weeks, starting from Wednesday, June 2, while adding that the tournament is not about the winner or the loser, but about developing women’s football in the state.

She added that the teams will be in four groups of six teams each for the competition that would first be played on league basis before going into the knock-out series until the final game.

Victory Queens, Unification FC, Heroes FC, Lakeside Queens, SGH Queens, FC Phoenix, BFA English and Oracle Angels are among the teams that would be fighting for honour at the tournament.

The Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) hosted the Silver medalist Team Lagos men’s and women’s football teams at the just concluded 2020 National Sports Festival in Benin City on Sunday at the Soccer Temple, Agege.

LSFA Chairman who also double as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) 1st Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi appreciated Team Lagos Football teams and urged the players to focus on their career and education.

“We are here to welcome you back home and to say thank you to the team’s contingent, coaches, players, and backroom staff, we are proud of you all. We appreciate your attitude and the kind of football you played. Your progress is our mission, you have got the experience and you all will be stronger. You all have made us proud,” emotional Akinwunmi said.

Akinwunmi commended the Lagos State government and the Sports Commission for their support despite the challenges the team encountered during the qualifiers and accreditation of players for the Festival.

“We appreciate the Lagos State government and the Lagos State Sports Commission for their support. We are ready to support your progress, we know what we have done to support different kids in Lagos, footballers and also those willing to acquire education. We have saved a lot from slavery contracts as well.

“Football is gradual, with the right support you will get there. You have to take the right steps, if you are patient you will get there. You all need education, educated players is a better player. An educated player as security after playing.

“We are not interested in football agencies, we are only interested in your success. We are here to guide you and support your progress. This is the beginning for you all, you have to continue working hard. The glory is for us in Lagos, this is the reason why we have to work together as a family. My board members have been fantastic and we are proud that our work has come to fruition.”

LSFA Vice-Chairman Otunba Tade Azeez described the team’s podium finish as the ‘Golden’ Silver medal.

“We are proud of your performance, it was a Golden Silver finish for us. We heard what happened in Edo State, irrespective of that, we are proud of your performance,” an elated Azeez said.

The head coach of the men’s team, Hamidi Suleiman shower praises on his boys for their performance in Benin City despite the drama and intimidation in the final game.

He said; “We appreciate the opportunity for us to compete in the Festival, I want to salute my boys for their performance despite the challenges in Benin City. It was an amazing experience and I think we were good ambassadors of the State. We lost in the final, football is a game of chance, but despite losing the final game, we were the center of attention for those at the stadium.”

The captain of the women’s team, Asooto Franca narrated the experience they garnered at the Festival.

“In our first game, we played with just eight players because of clearance issues, but we were still able to secure a result. Then, the issue of penalties came up as a tiebreaker for the team that would progress and we survived the hurdle. Our performance in the semifinal was superb and I think we gave our best in the final. The experience wasn’t good in the final, tensed atmosphere and intimidation,” Franca revealed.

Another feather to the cap of the Nationwide League One (NLO) after it unveiled the Haggai Zebra as its official match ball for the 2020/2021 season.

Designed by it’s kit partner Haggai, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) 1st Vice President and Chairman Football Committee and Youth Football Committee, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi took the honour to unveil the match ball alongside NFF Executive Committee Members, Comrade Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, Alhaji Sharu Ahlan,  Mohammed Alkali, and NLO Chief Operating Officer (COO) Olushola Ogunnowo and other top brass of the nation’s third-tier domestic league at the NLO Secretariat in Abuja.

The epoch making event also saw the official kits for NLO ground staff and other officials at the various centres unveiled.

Haggai donated the Zebra match balls and kits as part of its fulfilment of his partnership with NLO.

Poised to esure the safety of all players, coaches and officials and to help curb the spread of the novel virus pandemic, the NLO Board who’ll adhere to the guideline set by Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and NFF, also made public the thermometers and hand sanitisers it procured.

The thermometers will be used to check body temperatures of every participant at the match centres while hand sanitizer will be used by players and officials before and after matches at the venues.

The 2020/21 NLO season kicks off on March 7 across the six Geo-Political Zones in Nigeria.