The Premier University in Nigeria, University of Ibadan will be a beehive of activities this weekend as ex-footballers of the institution hold their 8th Annual Réunion.

According to the release signed by the President of the Association Edwin Evbie, the activities will commence on Thursday with a visit to the new Sports Director of the University, Mr. Kehinde Eyiomo.

On Friday, they will visit some ailing members of the Association resident in Ibadan, and some media houses also in Ibadan. The Vice Chancellor of the Premier University, Prof. Kayode Adebowale will receive the Executive and Board of Trustees members of the Association in his office at noon same day. The members of the Association will thereafter visit some selected motherless babies home in Ibadan as part of their corporate social responsibility.

Saturday 17th December will be the climax of the Reunion with a Novelty Match at the University of Ibadan Stadium, while dinner and get together party will be held at the Trenchard Hall of the University later that day.

The Association president, Edwin Evbie said several prominent ex-football players that have passed through the University including Mutiu Adepoju, Edith Agoye, Christian Obi, Dimeji Lawal, Folorunsho Okenla, Abiodun Salami, Dr. Robinson Okosun of NFF, Mogaji Barr Rotimi Ali and Prof. Segun Adekunle amongst others are expected to grace the event. He further disclosed that an ex Super Eagles star shall be making a guest appearance at this year’s event.

Head Coach of 3SC Edith Olumide Agoye has identified inconsistencies in the nation’s league as a major factor affecting the country’s football.

Agoye who spoke as a Guest of the Ex – University of Ibadan Footballers Association virtual interactive program said the inconsistencies have made it difficult for anyone to effectively assess the development of football in the country.

Quoting his words, the former striker said “there are too many stoppages in our league, and this is affecting our football development. Nigeria League is very inconsistent and you cannot rate such a league. For the past three seasons, things have not been working the way it should be. If one problem comes up and solution is sort for it, you will see two or more others. This has been making it difficult for us to achieve anything in game all these while “.

He bemoaned that Nigerian league which was a Cynosure of all in the past, has become an object of caricature now” the current situation is pathetic. When South Africa can out of apartheid in the 90’s, they sent their officials to understudy how we organize our league back then. That was how good our league was then. But today, the gains of the yesteryears have gone, we are now struggling among other African countries. Even the South Africans that understudied us, are now poles ahead of us. The only thing we have now is the belief that tomorrow would be better and we will continue to hang on that” he concluded.

Former International and Shooting Stars Head Coach, Edith Agoye has revealed that quest to survive as a kid pushed him into football.

Revealing this at the monthly Ex-University of Ibadan Footballers Association interactive program at the weekend, the former International said growing up as kid in the Ibadan was difficult, though interesting.

According to the player who graduated from the Department of Agronomy in the Premier University, growing up was like that of other kids in Nigeria “my parents were poor, it was a life of struggle at a tender age. It was a life of struggle to grow up, where you have to fend for the yourself and assist the family”.

Continuing, the former Junior International said “probably that was why I became good in football. I normally go out with my friends and bet on playing penalties to raise some money. Sometimes, we play set (4 v 4) for money, and when you win, you take your share home and give to your mother to prepare food for the whole family. That was one things that made me strong and tough in every situation I found myself and that determination has kept me going “.

Edith Agoye, was a widely travelled super striker with a terrific striking prowess. Built like a tank and blessed with deft touches, Agoye was simply indomitable during his playing days.

Highly technically gifted, it was an absolute delight playing alongside him in any team just as he was an absolute terror to the opponents on the pitch.

The vastly travelled ex striker had an impressive soccer career which saw him play for a number of teams in Europe, Africa and Asia. Starting from Works FC in Ibadan as a teenager in the late 80s, he teamed up with 3SC as an undergraduate and soon afterwards jetted out to play for FC Schaffhausen (Switzerland), Rot-Weiss Oberhausen (Germany), Esperance FC (Tunisia) and Braunnau (Austria) before coming back to 3SC again between 2002 and 2004.

He moved abroad again in 2004/2005, this time, to Bnei Sakhnin F.C (Israel), Maccabi Herzliya FC (Israel), and Hapoel Be’er Sheva (Israel). In 2007, he came back home finally and teamed up with Julius Berger F.C before moving to Enyimba International F.C. in the 2008 season and finally went back to his first love 3SC for a third and final time, before eventually calling time on his career in 2009.

Agoye Edith, ex Flying and Super Eagles learned the game at all levels. Upon retirement, he concluded part of his training in England before becoming a certified coach. He became an assistant coach for 3SC in 2013 and was made the head coach a few years later.

He graduated from the University of Ibadan with a Bachelors Degree in Agronomy.

Edith Olumide Agoye, former junior International and the current Head coach of 3SC Football Club, Ibadan, has sensationally admitted his regret at missing the final of the 1996 CAF Champions League Final with his darling Club, 3SC of Ibadan.

Speaking at the monthly interactive session of the Ex-University of Ibadan Footballers Association at weekend the ex- Super Eagles player , said he wished he could turn back the hands of time and be a part of the final match between 3SC and Zamalek of Egypt in 1996.

“I honestly wish I could turn back the hands of time and be a part of that final match against Zamalek of Egypt. Many of the fans believed that if I had been a part of the 3SC team in that final, the outcome would have been different and 3SC would have won”.

“Sincerely, on hindsight, I would have loved to have played in that final to know what my inclusion would have brought. But sadly, that knowledge will never be known”, he said during the interview.

Explaining further his decision to seek greener pasture in the middle of the season in 1996, he admitted that he was at crossroads to go professional abroad or stay back and so had to make a quick decision as a budding professional.

“I had to make a very urgent decision back then and I opted for traveling abroad to Switzerland, to further seek greener pastures in my Football career. Though now, I feel I should have waited a bit to help execute the final and see what the outcome would have been. All that is in the past now anyways”.

He also spoke of his avowed love for The Great Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall, his hall of residence while being a student of the prestigious University of Ibadan.

“Zik Hall simply is the best, I learnt so many life lessons while in Zik Hall. The supporters of the football team, the Baluba Lions, were simply the best. The brotherhood displayed in Zik Hall was second to none. I never for once regretted being a Zikite during my days at the University of Ibadan” he concluded.

Agoye represented the University of Ibadan in Football and played at two World University Games tournaments. He was also a part of the Natiobal U20 team coached by Fanny Amun in 1995 and was capped once by the senior national team. He’s currently the Head coach of 3SC Football Club.

Henry Duru

The five-time Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions lifted the maiden edition of the prestigious Preseason Tourney last year when they defeated Delta Force 1-0 in the final game. They recorded a historic semifinal victory when they hammered Lobi Stars 5-0 to reach the final which they eventually won.

“I’m excited we are participating in the preseason tournament this year, we are looking forward to the tournament and as the champions, it gives us a great opportunity to defend our title. It will also give us that chance to compete with top NPFL clubs,” said Agoye.

The champions are paired in Group C alongside two Nigeria National League (NNL) sides Nilayo FC and Remo Stars, while Kwara United are the only NPFL side in the group.

“The feeling as the tournament champions is great, we had a good tournament last year and it showed us the level that we are. We took the form into the season and we did well in the season before the pandemic outbreak. We want to replicate what we did last season in the tournament.

“Ijebu-ode community should expect a vintage Shooting Stars, a team that is playing in the NNL but deserves to be in the NPFL. We hope our performance in the preseason tournament and the season proper will help us take the club back to the top flight.”

The tourney organizers have confirmed the 12 clubs that will participate in this year’s edition and the draws were conducted on Monday. The tournament is supported by Nigeria’s number one betting company, Bet9ja, and newly birthed airline, ValueJet.

Kwara United and Remo Stars will face-off in the opening game today at 4pm, the grand finale is scheduled for November 24th.

The groups:

Group A:
Rivers United
Gateway FC
Warri Wolves
Bendel Insurance.

Group B:
Lobi Stars
MFM FC
Crown FC
Godosky FC.

Group C:
Shooting Stars
Nilayo FC
Kwara United
Remo Stars.