The league board of Kwara U-12 YEG League on Wednesday signed a sponsorship deal with Mobrimah Foundation and Beyond Creativity media firm in a ceremony hosted at the conference room of the Kwara Football Academy, KFA in Ilorin.

The deal, according to the Chief Operating Officer of the league, Ibrahim Jatto is a watershed which will go a long way in achieving the core values and inception message of the league.

‘This is a ground breaking deal which signals a new dawn for football development in Kwara State and Nigeria. We are happy to have our sponsors join us in making history as we invest in the future of football in Nigeria”. said the COO

Also speaking at the event, the representative of Mobrimah foundation, Abdullahi Abdulhameed noted that the sponsorship drive was inspired by the thrust policy of the foundation which, among many other things is geared towards emancipation of people at the grassroots and also helping the less privilege in achieving their dreams.

“The league has created a platform for young footballers to display their talents and we believe that the synergy between us and the league board will aid their long term aspirations”

In his remarks, the representative of the Beyond creativity media firm, Abdullahi Loke expressed delight to be part of the development which he said will continue to be a reference point in the course of football development in Nigeria.

The sponsorship deal will covers logistics, provision of matchday and monthly awards to players and coaches, training materials for all the 12 teams taking part in the league, provision of media coverage and leverage and hosting a gala and award night at the end of the season to celebrate all the stakeholders.

Laycon 1-3 NPFL All Stars

NPFL All Stars set up a date with NNL All Stars in the 2022 Amapro Football Championship final after beating Laycon FA 3-1 at Kwara Stadium Complex on Saturday morning.

Midfielder Oyedeji Samuel drew the first blood from the penalty spot after five minutes.

Offa-based Laycon FA deservedly levelled matters through talented striker Gotie Taofeeq on 22 minutes.

Wasiu Jimoh nodded home a fine cross from Musa Afeez to put NPFL All Stars on the ascendency 10 minutes into the second half.

Kwara United teenager Abubakar Idris put the game beyond Laycon with a thunderous strike that caught goalkeeper Taye Kolawole napping.

KFA 0-1 NNL All Stars

Defending champions NNL All Stars will face NPFL All Stars in the final after they overcame KFA 1-0.

Neither side were able to find the back of the net in the first 89 minutes, with the match almost heading to penalties.

Playmaker Ajiboye Moses popped up with a curler at injury time to stun KFA.

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.

The game termed Osun derby really lived up to its hype.

Hoppers tutored side imposed their presence in no time at the blast of the whistle. It’s a mixed fierce battle as Oodua Boys would need to redeem their image and come back to live after loosing narrowly to their opponent in their first contest with Seat of God FC.

Hammola FC who enjoyed a perfect start in the group wanted to consolidate and extend their winning streak following the inclusion of Alabi Adetunji and Ibrahim Ismail into the starting line up.

Tunji’s inclusion would have been paid off instantly if he had calmly pounced on a loose ball inside the opening minutes but he anxiously blasted away the first chance that came his way aimlessly.

Twelve minutes later, he opened the scoring after being fed by the wing back Ganiyu Maruf who surges forward from byline, the well framed goal poacher employed his chests as he beats his marker before slotting a fierce curler directly into bottom corner as goalkeeper Adeboyejo had no answer to it.

The Lee Bombers preserved the lead and ensured the scoreline remain unchanged until six minutes past hour mark when Gbotemi hurriedly cleared away a set piece that closely whisks off Ayo Olajuba’s hand unconsciously inside his own dangerous yard as centre referee aimed at the spot instantly. The pint size forward Tosin Dabiri buried it brilliantly to restore the parity.

Hammola’s effort to increase the tally in the 88th minutes was fruitless as new entrant Habeeb Olanrewaju wasted the most glorious chance of the tension soaked duel, he had his diagonally planted header sails inches over the bar while facing an empty net to the dismay of the scantily seated fans.

The results means Coach Abdul Rasaq Abdul Azeez effort to make a winning statement against his erstwhile employer was foiled. The game is indeed a fierce rivalry to behold.

“I want to salute the efforts of my boys for grinding out something from this encounter. It’s a case of a known foe. We want to win so also our opponent. The arena is a bit locked up but that not to say we won’t adapt going forward. We will review the proceedings and make corrections before next game,” Hoppers told the pressmen after the game.

What it means.

The group is widely open with Seat Of God, Olukismet and now Hammola FC all tied on 4 points after 2 games. Hammola FC would now take on Kaduna Utd on Saturday by 4pm.

A brilliant debut for Ido-Osun based outfit Hammola FC at the ongoing Nationwide League One 2020/2021 season played on the turf of Kwara Football Academy.

Babatunde Sodiq finished off a stunning move to open the scoring after some laborious inputs and Nurudeen Ganiyu’s drive deflected off the woodwork as Hammola FC pip their opponent from Jos to remain on course at the centre.

Lee Bombers had earlier struggled to impose themselves on the contest, as Mighty Jets Feeders fired up from the blast of the whistle only to have their efforts flew across goal in the second minute.

Hoppers tutored side gradually grew into the game, in the second half as they enjoyed much of the possession. Arthur and Sodiq were on rampage for the most of the time as possession keep swinging intermittently.

Adewale Saheed was also called to duty oftentimes as he forces some saves in the critical stages of the contest. Gbotemi Abdulahi was so gallant at the back as he curtailed some dangerous moves by Jets forward Sulaimon Haruna.

The wasteful Jets had themselves to blame for agonizingly missing what could have been a leveller at the death.

Speaking to Journalists after the heated duel, Coach Abdul Azeez Abdul Rasaq believes his wards could offer more as he rained encomium on his charges for putting up the superlative performances.

“My boys are aware how difficult is it to win the first game. I want to specially appreciate their character and confidence as we grind the needed points.

“Going forward we are aware our group is filled with ambitious sides and we won’t leave anything to chance.

“We will have a time to review and prepare for the next task as we would be taking it one after the other. We want to imprint our own trademark in this season being a debut season and l believe we can go all the way to create a necessary spark,” revealed one time Knights FC gaffer.

Hoppers as he’s fondly called would be looking forward to outclass his former employer who lost to their rival from Ekiti. The two sides would square up on Thursday at the turf of Kwara Football Academy in the second game of the group.

Ahead of the new NLO season, Hammola International Football Club of Ido-Osun has landed in llorin with very high expectations after a rigorous preseason activities.

As teams gear up and arrive for new NLO season, the Lee Bombers as they are fondly called gleefully touched down in high spirit. One could notice how players and officials calmly set their attention immediately on the warranted impetus.

Having unveiled its personnel and iconic kits few days back, with the addition of newly acquired bus and necessary equipments for optimum effectiveness, the club is poised for a big statement when the league finally underway on Monday.

The club under the able leadership of Coach cum Football Administrator AbdulRasheed Adeniran has fulfilled all righteousness required by organizers. Having affiliated with state of Osun FA, registered with Corporate Affairs Commission, completed players license on-time, with participation fee also paid, Lee Bombers are battle ready and gear up for the big task.

Again, the club’s camp boobles today after being given clean bill of health as samples of players and officials taken for mandatory Covid-19 test returned negative.

All eye would be on KFA centre later today as teams converge for draws and prematch activities. Hammola FC are having the ambition of picking the sole ticket in the centre.

By Abdul Momoh

The Administrator of Kwara State Football Academy, Mall Kehinde Jimoh has alluded to the fact that he is qualified by virtue of any ranking to become the new Director of Sport at the Kwara State Sports Council.

He drooped this hint during a chat with newsmen in his office, recently.

According to him,’ I think am duly qualify for the post of the Director of sports by virtual of any pedigree.’

 “The intention of every human being is to grow. I was employed to Kwara State Sports Council years back as a staff and I went through all ranks and files. I developed myself both academically and professionally.

“I slugged it out with the outgoing Director the other time, but the post fell to his hands and we supported him. So if today he is leaving and the office is open, it’s behold on me that I’m one of the people to take the seat”, Jimoh said.

Continuing, ‘In terms of experience, am qualified. In terms of the profession, am much qualified. I want to continue from where the man stop if am appointed because sport is what I eat and is part of me.’

He added that Kwara Football Academy, KFA is not his primary assignment as he still collects his salary from the sport council.

“I was redeployed to KFA to settle and put some things alright. KFA is not my primary assignment, but the sports council. And if vacancies opens there, I think am dutifully qualify for the post. I still have my monthly salary paid by the sport council,” he stressed.

Jimoh further added that his three years as administrator of Kwara Football Academy has brings about face-lift to the college.

“When I was to moved to the KFA via redeployment I was told by the then permanent secretary that Government doesn’t have money to give. They are looking unto me to keep the legacy of the college which I pledged to do my part.

“The total of students I met on ground was 89 and now we have 165 students. With this at least has assisted to spread the gospel of Kwara Football Academy.

“Two, it has enable people to know that investment in students particularly in the area of footballing and education is not a waste. It’s a long time investment which will be harvested positively.

“When this new government came on board for the first time of my three years experience there. I wrote a memo to the government about Pitch Soccer Tourney, the government gave me N1. 950,000 and the tournament was a big success.

“After the program, about 7 players from Kwara State where picked, no thank to Covid-19, the students ought to have been there now.”

He added: ‘I was able to makes a link to the Nigeria Glass House to get one of our player that absconded and the player felt the academy some cash of about N10 million as a result of his exit. With this we were able to offsets the backlogged of our staff salary.’

The KFA administrator however lauded the Kwara State Government for reawakening the faces of sports development in the state.

“First is the reawakening of the state sports festival. We have had it last in 15 years. I think it is a glory. People that know what sports is all about give kudos to that efforts,” he concluded.

Kumbi make this known while fielding questions from sports writers on Lets Gist Naija Football WhatsApp platform.

The KFA which was established in 2005 then known as Football College of Excellence, FCE has produced notable players including former captain of Nigeria U20 side, Gbenga Arokoyo, Kelvin Kpakor, Ichull Lordson of Lobi Stars, Dennis Bonaventure of Club Brugge among others.

When he was asked how he was able to make the academy a delight to football fans and youths, Kumbi said his domestic football experience and transparency were added to earlier success recorded by former Super Eagles’ coach, Clemens Westerhof who had earlier managed the place to manage the academy which helped in fishing raw talents.

He sighted funding and sentiments as major snags affecting major academies and football organisations just as advocated for transparency just as he and he charged the state government to give more attention to the academy which has been ranked as the best in Africa at some point.

“What happened in Kwara Football Academy, KFA that made us achieve success by discovering those talents was some good work laid down first by Clemens Westerhof, all I only did was to apply the Nigerianess into the system and I was more open to everyone.

“What is wrong (with KFA) today is that funding is difficult, secondly most of our youths today, they believe in fast easy way out in life, that’s why you see some players in two three years when you start looking at them for something better, they found their ways to Europe and ended sign a slave contract, but with proper education, you can show these boys how to be patient, get education, learn more about the game, be grounded in it and then you can more.

“But then, funding is a big issue to make this happen, that’s why its difficult for people running KFA today to do better.

“And again, one of the biggest challenge that makes many people running football not to succeed is sentiments. The day sentiment gets into your system whether you’re running a football club or any football organisation then you’ll running into problems.

‘So, the problem of KFA today is purely the funding and then, the resource to go out and scout and identify these talents,” said Kwara United chairman.

KFA is one of the leading football academies in Africa, the academy provides platform for young aspiring footballers to combine academics with football and at inception in 2005 it is the first of its kind in Nigeria.

The Scouting tournament which will kick start from 4th – 10th January, 2020 is aimed at identifying talented young players, providing a team for them not only in the local league but also in Europe. Also, the tournament is designed towards addressing the local community problems like crime, drug abuse and other socio – economical affairs.

Meanwhile, the tournament will comprises of six teams from four states within the country; Lagos, Kaduna, Abuja and Enugu and Kwara Football Academy team A &B

Speaking ahead of the commencement of the tournament, The Technical Adviser of Kwara Football Academy, Former Nigeria International Coach Sam Elijah. ( M.O.N) who described the tournament as a rare opportunity for young players in Kwara State .

“The tournament is a good development for the academy and Kwarans. It is an opportunity we have been hoping for to discover talent and expose them.”

He continued by disclosing the quality of the championship, stating the difference between it and the previous scouting programmes.

“It is a rare opportunity not just a scouting program where agents pick players to clubs.”

“The Chairman, Sports Director and Head Coach of the Lithuania team is coming to discover talents and take them to Europe directly.”

However, he revealed the preparation of Kwara Football Academy for the tournament and his confidence of discovering talents in the programme.

“We started preparation after the Christmas break and we didn’t consider the festival periods with the continuity of training even on New Year’s Eve.”

“Great players are discovered in the grassroot and i believe many players would be scouted at least 5- 10 players in the tournament.”

The academy is known to hosting big personalities since inception. In the past, the academy had hosted English Premier league side Tottenham’s Manager , Jose Mourinho, Former English Football Association Chairman, Former CAF president- Issa Hayatou ,and other notable scouts, Ex Players and Football administrators across the world

Other notable personalities expected at the tournament include; the representatives of Lithuania side, Kauno Zalgiris Chairman Eimantas Puras, Manager, Cibulskas Gintautas and Head Scouting/ Academy Coach, Garastas Rukas. alongside four football scouts from Spain and England.